Everyone knows someone who has been a victim of a package thief, or hurries home when a “package delivered” notification comes across a phone.
It’s called “porch pirating,” the method of stealing that entails swiping packages off someone’s porch after they’ve been delivered. Under a new law just passed in Pennsylvania, penalties are getting stiffer, with repeat offenders or thefts valued at more than $2,000 facing felony charges.
The legislation was introduced by Sen. Frank Farry, R-Langhorne, who mentioned the changing world of shopping.
“Criminals see this change in commerce as another way to steal from our constituents,” he said.
“The average cost of a package stolen in Pennsylvania is $43 and close to 2 million Pennsylvanians have experienced this crime.”
The law had based charges solely on the value of the items taken. This legislation implements specific penalties for mail theft, with increasing penalties for repeated offenses.
Locally, package theft is something that happens on occasion, but two local law enforcement officials said the crime has lessened as more people get surveillance cameras.
Lt. Mike Thomas said there’s not a lot of that specific type of crime in Foster Township. “Most of the residents have cameras now.”
And there are still neighborhoods where folks watch out for each other. The same goes in Bradford Township, Chief Robb Shipman said.
“We have had very few reports. Ring cameras and similar systems are a big help,” he said. “It would help if these delivery companies still wore uniforms and had marked delivery vehicles.
In the City of Bradford, Chief Mike Ward agreed that cameras make a difference, saying the city had seen only a few reports over the past six months.
“There has been no string of thefts from porches like we have had in years past,” Ward said. “I think home surveillance and prosecution has been a huge deterrent.”
The increasing penalties under the new law will be a big help, he added.
Several departments have posted to social media images taken from security cameras, and asked the public for help in identifying the suspects. In most cases, answers come quickly.
