All deliveries that don't fit in my letter box are dumped against my wire screen door whether or not I'm home. As that door opens outwards it can be a pain to retrieve some parcels but never had any problems (apart from magpies attacking a parcel when I was out and eating some chocolate santas).

I doubt that anyone would make a specific request for items to be left if they lived in an unsafe area. Maybe your customer is super covid cautious so is avoiding any unnecessary trips to the PO etc.