Package Thefts Increase As Porch Pirates Become More Sophisticated: Block Talk

Prosecute and throw the bums in jail.

That was a common theme in responses to our informal survey on porch piracy for Block Talk, Patch’s exclusive neighborhood etiquette column.

About 250,000 packages are stolen every day in what experts say is a $37 billion annual problem that costs both consumers and retailers. Thefts increase during the holiday shopping season as more people shop online.

Home security experts say porch pirates are emboldened by a relatively low risk of prosecution, despite severe consequences, including felony charges punishable by up to 10 years in prison, depending on the specific laws in about a dozen states that have elevated the crime from a misdemeanor. Federal mail theft charges could apply if the theft is a package delivered by U.S. mail.

‘These Thieves Are Brazen’

“Porch pirates need to be held accountable. Until it’s taken more seriously (and the consequences hurt badly enough), it will continue to happen,” said Woodbury (Minnesota) Patch reader Junie.

Fern, a Bolingbrook (Illinois) Patch reader, said video footage on a neighborhood social media page showed gift-stealing Grinches pulling up almost immediately behind the delivery truck and snatching the packages.

“These thieves are brazen and don’t even always attempt to hide their identity, which suggests to me that they have no fear of being caught,” Fern said. “Police should start treating this like the crime it is and investigate what is happening to these items and if they’re being resold, which I suspect is happening in many cases.”

Fern’s hunch is supported by the findings of Security.org, which said in its recent package theft report that porch pirates are bolder and more organized than ever.

“In recent years, we’ve seen reports of organized theft rings with very clever tactics,” the report said. “Some use electronic scramblers to mess with security camera signals, follow delivery trucks and wear fake uniforms to pick up freshly delivered packages, and some hack into delivery companies or bribe shipping workers to find out which packages are especially valuable.”

Ellicott City (Maryland) Patch reader Rosie said she has twice been the victim of package tampering. The first time, she was on her way to the door to retrieve a package containing three iPhones and, from a window, saw a thief grab the box and dash away.

Rosie reordered. That time, “the box arrived, but when opened, it was completely empty,” she said.

“I had two boxes stolen yesterday in a matter of 20 minutes! What steps do I take?” said Dog Mom, a Greenfield (Wisconsin) Patch reader. “I set my dog loose to chase the crooks. Sorry it had to come to this.”

Sue, who reads Milton Patch and Shelton-Derby Patch, both in Connecticut, supports graduated punishment for porch pirates — “first offense, three months in jail; second, six months, etc., plus a hefty fine or extensive community service.”

“Make it a real crime!” said Natick (Massachusetts) Patch reader Bob. “It is stealing and should be prosecuted as a serious crime. Just because it is common does not make it OK.”

“These are thieves coming into our neighborhoods and stealing our property. They should be prosecuted and do at least six months in jail, and more time for repeat offenders,” Massapequa (New York) Patch reader Mike said. “That’s the only way this is going to get better.”

‘Too Much Complacency’

Several Block Talk survey respondents said they’ve installed doorbell cameras and home security systems, but said they’re of little use beyond building neighborhood awareness if police don’t follow up.

“I have a Ring camera, but I understand it would just let me watch someone steal my package,” said Beanie, a Long Island (New York) Patch reader.

Bethesda-Chevy Chase (Maryland) Patch reader FeelingFrustrated thinks there’s “too much complacency” surrounding porch piracy, as if it’s just one of the risks of shopping online.

“The more people speak up about it instead of tolerating the behavior, the more likely it will stop,” the reader said.

Saint Paul (Minnesota) Patch reader Barry said people shouldn’t assume police won’t follow up on package theft. His home is equipped with security cameras, and because he’s retired, he’s home most of the time. The risk that his packages will be stolen is low, but that wasn’t always the case.

“Before I started installing the cameras about 15 years ago, we experienced a crime spree including package theft, mail theft and vandalism. The criminals weren’t from the neighborhood; they were mostly from the nearby apartment complex,” he said. “I submitted several videos to the (Saint Paul Police Department) and, within a year or two, the criminal activity was no longer a problem.”

He added, “I consider the SPPD to be among the finest, and I donate two thousand dollars annually to the Saint Paul Police Foundation.”

Susan, a Greenwich (Connecticut) Patch reader, said police responded right away when a neighbor reported a package theft as it was unfolding. The suspect was caught, and the package was returned.

Susan and her neighbors have a reciprocal agreement: they pick up each other’s packages when someone isn’t home.

Jude, who reads Homer Glen-Lockport Patch and Orland Park Patch, both in Illinois, thinks neighbors should work together to prevent porch piracy.

“Encourage neighbors to help each other and either put packages in a safe place or simply watch out for unwanted lurkers,” Jude said.

Accept Personal Responsibility

JP, a Trenton (New Jersey) Patch reader, said people who are expecting package deliveries should do what they can to deter thieves as much as possible.

“I specifically request that packages be delivered to my driveway door, not the front door, which is more visible to porch pirates. I also have a front door sign for delivery companies to leave packages at my rear entrance,” JR said.

“Amazon has remote locker locations to have smaller packages sent to that are just a short drive away and secure. Monitor your package delivery dates. If you are not going to be home, try to schedule a different delivery date if possible or ask a neighbor to take them in. Try to set up a well-lit area for packages to be left, as we have earlier evening hours now.”

Several other survey respondents echoed his thoughts.

“If your packages are constantly being stolen, it’s best to use Amazon Locker near you. Or if it’s coming through a different carrier, request the packages be held at their nearest office,” said Old Town Alexandria (Virginia) Patch reader Susan. “There’s always a two- to three-day holding period, or you can have it delivered to a neighbor who is always at home. But I think the other options are better.”

“Have packages delivered to a neighbor or at work,” said Nanny, who reads Middlebury (Vermont) Patch AM.

“I will not order any packages to be delivered while I expect to be away, said Murrieta (California) Patch reader Sonny.

Sonny isn’t above a little trickery to thwart thieves.

“Install cameras in plain view, even if the cameras are fake, and maybe a sign saying that your premises are closely monitored,” Sonny said.

‘They Just Drop And Run’

Several survey respondents said online retailers and their delivery drivers should take greater responsibility in ensuring packages are safe.

“I wish that delivery people, when delivering to a single-family house, would take five extra seconds to put the package out of sight and then ring or knock,” Roslindale (Massachusetts) Patch reader Jeff said. “Even if they don’t wait, that few seconds would tell anyone in the house that they should check their front door.”

“Inform delivery outfits to at least put packages against the house and not on the edge of the top step,” said Wantagh-Seaford (New York) Patch reader Kevin. “Light envelopes should be secured under a mat or left inside the door on windy days. I’ve found numerous envelopes in the street and houses away from the proper address.”

“I would love to see delivery folks trained to place packages in inconspicuous places,” Oakland Township-Lake Orion (Michigan) Patch reader Marilyn said. “Other than that, thieves need to be caught and prosecuted. How many times have we read about mail theft? Retail theft? There is no excuse for anyone to get away with stealing.”

“The delivery people seldom knock or ring the bell; they just drop and run,” said Long Beach (New York) Patch reader Jared.

Glendale (California) Patch reader Angie said she is “not comfortable at all” with getting package deliveries when she’s away from home.

“We even have a locker service that is paid monthly in our locked apartment building. The packages are often left out and not placed in the coded lockers,” Angie said.

“Recently,” she said, “a $250 item purchased with hard-earned money was not placed in a locker” by the delivery service. The company didn’t follow up on her report of the theft, she said.

“This was the third time in two years when no lockers were used, and all three times, expensive items were stolen. We had to reorder the item at double the cost off of eBay because now the original site has no stock of this item,” Angie said, adding that she is “disgusted.”

Smithtown (New York) Patch reader Brian thinks a signature should be required for high-value items, and Southington (Connecticut) Patch reader Jalex thinks manufacturers should put “random AirTags on packages, so the product can be tracked.”

‘Dog Doo Set On A Spring’

PeeBee, who reads Upper East Side (New York) Patch and San Diego Patch, pays for a UPS store box and has packages delivered there.

The approach PeeBee fantasizes about reflects the level of frustration among people who are expecting deliveries only to come home to an empty porch. In PeeBee’s imagination, this is what would happen:

“Post Ring Cam stills of the thieves around the theft site, set the pit bulls out to wait for the thieves, electrify all entry door handles, build trap doors into an actual wooden private-house porch, send yourself and your neighbors dummy packages with shrapnel and TNT, live venomous snakes, or dog doo set on a spring to fly into the face of the person who opens the package.”

About Block Talk

Block Talk is a regular Patch feature offering real-world advice from readers on how to resolve everyday neighborhood problems. If you have a neighborhood etiquette question or problem you'd like for us to consider, email beth.dalbey@patch.com, with Block Talk as the subject line.

Catch up on Block Talk

• Does Turning On Holiday Lights Early Make You A Bad Neighbor?
• Should Texting And Walking Cluelessly Be Illegal?
• What To Do When Your Neighbor’s Weed ‘Smells Like A Skunk’s Behind’
• The Sheets Hit The Fan When We Asked About Scented Laundry Products
• Fire Pit Season Heats Up; Here Are Some Dos And Don’ts
• It’s ‘One Big Goose Latrine’ In Some Neighborhoods
• If You Don’t Return A Shopping Cart, Are You A Total Jerk?
• ‘Poop Cleanup In Aisle 9’: Do Dogs Belong In Stores?