New California bill would be bad news for porch pirates

[TexasTowelie]

As more and more people shift toward doing the bulk of their shopping online, stories of brazen package thievery abound in Northern California, from Christmas presents stolen en masse to a woman apparently stealing a package in front of her trick-or-treating children.

And people have fought back with strategies ranging from leaving out trackable bait packages to filling decoy boxes with cat poop.

After hearing from exasperated constituents, one state assemblyman is now seeking a more orthodox (though considerably less creative) solution: Assemblyman Evan Low, D-Campbell, is proposing slapping harsher penalties on the people who steal packages from porches by clarifying how the crime is classified.

Currently, these types of theft incidents exist in a legal grey area: It is up to prosecutors whether to charge the theft of items from doorsteps and porches as burglaries.

Read more: https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/ab-1210-package-theft-evan-low-porch-pirate-13724237.php

[Sherman A1]

1. Interesting and I hope this goes forward

Beyond the financial loss and inconvenience sometimes those packages contain medical equipment or supplies that are of extreme importance to the recipients, which needs to be delivered in a timely manner.

[SWBTATTReg]

2. Really. I worry all of the time when I am scheduled to get a pkg. and hate it being delivered to...

such an unsecured environment such as right in front of each home in plain sight. When I see one of my neighbors I either keep an eye on it for them or if they know, I'll pick up for them and give to them when they get home from work. I don't use it for medical type deliveries but you're right, this could really hurt someone if their meds are not there in time/gone/not delivered (e.g. stolen).

[4now]

3. So will I be allowed to shoot suspected porch pirates now