Pa. lawmakers sign bill making porch piracy a felony
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The holidays are here, and with Christmas around the corner, December is one of the busiest times of year for porch pirates stealing gifts and packages off the steps of people across the country.
Well, local lawmakers are now taking action against any porch pirates.
It's the season for porch piracy. Since this time of year is a peak for Amazon and other shipping companies when it comes to delivery, some people are looking to steal packages in plain sight.
Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a bill Thursday that makes it a criminal offense to target at-home delivery package thieves. Pittsburghers are relieved something is being done.
"I think any sort of consequences are good; it's going to be difficult to find those people, but any step to find those people is helpful," said resident Allison Popieski.
Pa. will now join eight other states in having a porch piracy law. This new law would include mail of all kinds, like letter bags and packages, with the intent of depriving someone of it. Having your packages stolen can make you feel helpless.
According to a Forbes article, nearly eight to 10 Americans had a package stolen last year estimating a value total of about $20 billion.
"It's horrible because you're waiting for this time of year. Everybody has packages; it's awful to think about something being taken, and now, you don't have a gift for your loved one," Pittsburgher Robin Tolmer said.
Some Pittsburghers have decided to rely on their community to look out for their and other people's mail.
"I build relationships with the people in the building, with or in the area, so I have a group of people looking out for it," Popieski said.
"I see a lot of my neighbors doing things like asking packages to be tossed over railings and gates and that kind of thing," Tolmer added.
While the bill has been signed by the governor, the law won't go into effect until 2024, just in time for Valentine's Day.