Name: 250,000 packages stolen daily amid push for harsher penalties
Uploaded: 2025-12-16T03:13:18.074Z
Duration: 2 min 5 s
Description: As online holiday shopping ramps up, lawmakers are mulling new legislation that would add stiffer penalties for those who steal packages.

As online holiday shopping ramps up, lawmakers are mulling new legislation that would add stiffer penalties for those who steal packages.

Atlanta

An estimated 250,000 packages are stolen from doorsteps across the United States each day, with losses totaling nearly $15 billion in the past year, according to a study by SafeWise. The rise in package theft during the holiday shopping season has led federal lawmakers to consider new legislation that would impose fines up to $250,000 and prison sentences of up to 10 years for stealing packages.

Currently, only 11 states and Washington D.C. have laws specifically targeting porch piracy, with penalties in other states ranging from six months to 30 years in jail. Security experts recommend visible deterrents such as cameras with lights, while affected residents are becoming more vigilant about their deliveries.

250,000 packages stolen daily amid push for harsher penalties

It is the height of the holiday shopping season and one of the most popular destinations for unscrupulous bargain hunters is your front porch. Here's Skyler Henry. I was so mad. I was just mad. Atlanta resident Tanya Shepard says it happened to her in the middle of the day last month. A thief stealing her packages on a busy street. Security footage shows the porch pirate wave unsuspectingly to the camera. Look to see if the coast is clear then make off with boxes. Are you hesitant to order? I think you have to order in this day and time but I do try to be more mindful about knowing when things are coming. Shepard's packages were among the roughly 250,000 that are stolen nationwide every day. A study from home safety research company SafeWise estimated the total value of the items lost in the past year alone at nearly 15 billion dollars. As online holiday shopping ramps up, seeing thieves take off with goods is on the rise, prompting federal lawmakers to mull over legislation, including fines up to $250,000 and up to 10 years in prison. Stealing any package will carry the same federal punishments across the board. We stick with the three D's, deter, detect and deny. Nick B. Thomas is the chief marketing officer for Atlanta-based Ackerman security systems. On the porch, if you have some sort of light associated with your camera, they're not going to test it. You want the burglar to say, I ain't doing that. Tanya Shepard says while what she lost can be replaced, she's being more vigilant about what she buys and when it arrives. Think of people who couldn't afford to rebuy packages, you know what I mean? Or what if you had a kid and it was that one present and that's what got taken off your porch? Only 11 states and Washington D. C. Have laws on the books specifically addressing porch piracy with five others considering similar legislation penalties right now. Maurice and john range between six months in jail to 30 years.

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