Senator Daphne Jordan introduces legislation to combat “Porch Piracy” and keep holiday deliveries safe

For Immediate Release: Monday, November 25, 2019

Halfmoon, NY – With five days until “Black Friday,” and seven days until “Cyber Monday,” two of the biggest shopping days in the U.S. resulting in millions of packages being delivered to homes – and many being stolen – Senator Daphne Jordan (R,C,I,Ref-Halfmoon) today announced her new legislation to combat “Porch Piracy” to help keep deliveries safe.

Porch Piracy is a growing crime where criminals brazenly steal packages from a porch, doorstep, or driveway after their delivery. Porch Piracy affects millions of Americans as noted by a Schorr Package Theft Report Survey that found 25.9 million Americans experienced package theft in 2017, up from 23 million in 2015.

In response to the widening crime of Porch Piracy – fueled by an increase in online commerce and home deliveries (the United States Postal Service forecasts 800 million home deliveries of packages are expected to occur between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day) – Senator Jordan introduced new legislation to deter this criminal activity. Senator Jordan’s legislation, Senate Bill S.6794, would make the theft of a package intentionally taken from a porch, driveway, doorway or other areas adjacent to a residence following its delivery by the postal service or a commercial carrier a felony crime.

“Porch Piracy is a growing crime that must be taken seriously. The continued explosive growth of online shopping – along with an estimated 800 million packages expected to be delivered between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day – presents a target-rich environment for Porch Pirates to steal deliveries from homeowners, costing people time and a great deal of money. It’s a real crime that we need to address,” Senator Jordan said.

“My new legislation would establish Porch Piracy as a felony crime to try dissuading the unscrupulous criminals who steal packages – and spoil Christmas cheer and the holiday season – from unsuspecting homeowners. We can’t let Porch Pirates ‘Grinch’ (steal) this upcoming holiday or a future Christmas,” Senator Jordan stated.