Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's Tips to Combat Porch Pirates

Key Strategies to Prevent Package Theft

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) has announced vital tips to help residents combat the growing issue of package theft, commonly known as porch piracy. With the holiday season upon us, and an increase in online shopping, it’s crucial to safeguard deliveries.

Measures to Enhance Security

• Ship packages to secure locations like FedEx offices or Amazon lockers.
• Install motion-sensing lighting on porches to deter thieves.
• Consider using a porch camera for tracking deliveries.
• Simulate occupancy by playing music or keeping lights on.

"Unattended deliveries are easy targets for porch pirates," cautioned Nessel in her recent press release. "By planning ahead and taking security measures, you can make sure your well-deserved gifts and packages reach you safely while keeping thieves from stealing your holiday cheer."

Legal Implications

First-time offenders caught stealing packages may face a sentence of up to one year in jail. Repeat offenders risk prison sentences of up to five years. The attorney general's office also points out the U.S. Postal Service’s free Informed Delivery tool, which allows customers to track packages and receive updates about their deliveries.

Statistics on Package Theft

A recent study by SafeWise indicates that approximately 120.5 million packages were stolen from American porches last year, with New York City being the most affected, suffering over $945 million in losses in 2023.