How Online Shoppers Are Trying to Foil ‘Porch Pirates’

New York Times ^ | 29th November 2024 | Matt Yan

[Cronos]

Good news: Your package has been delivered.

Bad news: It isn’t on your porch, under the mailboxes or in a package room, if you have one.

Unfortunately, your package might have been stolen by a porch pirate, like an estimated 120.5 million last year in the United States, according to a study by SafeWise.

More people shopping online during the holiday season means more packages — and an increased risk of theft. This year, holiday spending is expected to reach a record high of $902 per person, with 57 percent of adults opting to shop online, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation. E-commerce sales have ramped up in recent years, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, increasing 43 percent in 2020 over the previous year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

“Most package theft is going to be a crime of opportunity,” said Ben Stickle, a professor of criminal justice administration at Middle Tennessee State University who has done research on package thefts. “And then, a package being left unguarded, where a thief can see it, is just kind of an open invitation to take it.”

[Cronos]

In Poland we have these everywhere

They are call Paczkomat or "Package matic" if you translate to English

The item you order is placed in this box and you open it with an app or with a code and your phone number.

It's cheaper than a courier as they don't need to deliver to your doorstep AND you don't have to wait for them - you can pick it up within 3 days AND no stealing

There are tons of firms who are doing this - the first was INPOST (a Polish firm) and now we have DHL, DPD, Orlen all copying the same

These seem like ideal solutions for the USA

[madison10]

Amazon has done something like that a few places, but they took out the local one to me.

It is a good idea, I liked it.

[jdege]

They’re quite common in my area of the US.

[sten]

Get a UPS store box. they accept packages and will remove the junk mail for about $1/day

[Mr Radical]

“Most package theft is going to be a crime of opportunity,” said Ben Stickle, a professor of criminal justice administration at Middle Tennessee State University who has done research on package thefts. “And then, a package being left unguarded, where a thief can see it, is just kind of an open invitation to take it.”

"Professor" Ben Stickle needs a good slap.
Just because something is unguarded, doesn't make it anything less of a crime to steal! And, there is plenty of evidence that people plan this ahead - they set out to follow the delivery drivers or cruise around looking for stealing opportunitues.

[FreedomPoster]

I live in a big gated community in a county where the sheriff’s department arrests criminals and the DA prosecutes them into prison. While I’m sure porch pirates exist, they aren’t common. Our biggest problem is the shortage of parcel bins at our central mail facility.

[Adder]

And then, a package being left unguarded, where a thief can see it, is just kind of an open invitation to take it.”

Entitled people and a crime of opportunity.

How about we punish people who take them harshly...maybe even kill a few caught in the act [angry homeowner...not firing squad].
Betcha a lot of the problem goes away.

It proliferates because the thieves know there are no repercussions: even if they are caught on camera, they don’t care. [See sites like Doorbell News [https://www.youtube.com/c/DoorbellNews/videos]

Mostly, the police don’t arrest, the DA’s don’t prosecute.
Its got to stop. Harsh results are the quickest results.

[Tell It Right]

The best deterrent is flying over your porch both an American flag and a Gadsden flag. Porch pirates tend to interpret that as “Ain’t afraid to exercise my 2nd amendment rights”.

[Bernard]

The convenience of at-home delivery is that you only have to open the door to realize that your package is missing.

And did the wise professor provide an estimate of how many of these stolen packages are just reported stolen by the intended recipient? I could see how that could be a profitable side hustle.

[minnesota_bound]

We have a porch pirate that lives at the 36 unit apt bldg I live in.
I have had 3 packages stolen in 2023. Since then 7 cameras have been installed and no stealing. I suspect one guy as he was home at the time of the thefts but did not have the security cameras we have now.

[Sooth2222]

Get a video doorbell.

Then you won't need to drop whatever you are doing in your office, answer the door, and talk with the solar roof salesman (my main reason for buying one).

In my neighborhood at least, most thieves don't seem stupid enough to commit their crimes on video.

[MayflowerMadam]

The Amazon lockers are a good idea. I wish they’d install them at cruise ports.

There is an Amazon bank of lockers at a nearby big truck stop. The clerk said that the long-haul truckers use it a LOT.

[maddog55]

Only porch pirate where I’m at would be an occasional racoon or bear but we don’t leave any food out.

Any human porch pirate would be shot (I’m retired) and most of these idiots wouldn’t walk a half mile up the side of a mountain. They’re to lazy.

[wally_bert]

I’ve used Amazon lockers a few times, good idea.

[sgt_lau]

I find that using their inherent laziness against them usually works. Hell, it worked on my kids when I hid goodies.

[joethedrummer]

You guys should leave out boxes of …ummm “undesirable” things for your handsy neighbor. And notes inside - with HIS name on them.

[mad_as_he$$]

Sorry but I’m not going to Poland to get my package.😁

[decal]

Until they steal the flags...

[chopperk]

Best defense from porch pirates are an aluminum bat and porch camera or replace the police chief next election.

[suasponte137]

We have some similar things here...just not as large as that.