Alabama lawmaker pushes for strict crackdown on ‘porch pirates’

If you’re among the four in ten Americans who have had a package snatched from your porch this year, Alabama State Sen. April Weaver has a message of justice for you.

Sen. Weaver (R-Briarfield) announced she’ll file a bill in the upcoming state legislative session that would turn porch pirates into felons — in jeopardy of up to 20 years in prison.

“During this Christmas and holiday season, most Alabamians are having gifts or purchases from online retailers delivered to their homes, but that also means the thieves who steal packages from porches and doorsteps are especially active, as well” Weaver said.

“Alabama needs an anti-theft law with penalties strong enough to convince porch pirates that stealing a delivery is not worth the price they will have to pay behind bars.”

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Weaver’s legislation simply adds the phrase “any item mailed or shipped to another person” to Alabama’s existing theft of property statute.

“The Grinch may steal Christmas in Whoville, but if this bill and its prison penalties are passed by the Legislature, he won’t do it in Alabama.”

The range of charges and penalties established by the newly proposed law are as follows:

Theft of Property First Degree: Theft of packages with a value of over $2,500, Class B felony charge punishable by to two to 20 years of incarceration

Theft of Property Second Degree: Theft of packages with a value between $1,500 and $2,500, Class C felony punishable by one to 10 years of incarceration

Theft of Property Third Degree: Theft of packages with a value between $500 and $1,499, Class D felony punishable by to one to five years of incarceration

Misdemeanor: Theft of packages with a value up to $500, punishable by up to one year of incarceration

If passed, Alabama would be the tenth state in the country to approve a legislative measure addressing pesky porch pirates.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.