America’s Ongoing Battle with Porch Pirates: States and Cities Most Affected by Package Theft
With the rise of e-commerce, packages delivered to our front doors are often more valuable than buried treasure—and unfortunately, thieves have noticed. Known as “porch pirates,” these modern-day bandits target parcels left unattended, leaving millions of Americans frustrated and out of pocket. Recent research estimates a staggering $13 billion worth of packages stolen across the United States, a sign that home security measures and vigilant pets are far from foolproof. So where are these thefts most rampant? What’s being stolen, and how are Americans fighting back? We present comprehensive insights from a survey of 3,000 Americans who’ve experienced package theft first-hand.
Key Insights on Package Theft Trends
– Washington DC has the highest rate of package theft, impacting 80% of households.
– Philadelphia is the top-ranked city for recurring parcel theft, with 82% of residents regularly affected.
– Nebraska stands out as the nation’s safest state, reporting the lowest incidence of stolen packages.
– One-fifth of Americans stay home or work remotely specifically to protect incoming deliveries.
– The most frequently stolen items are Amazon packages, closely followed by food deliveries.
Where Porch Piracy Strikes Most: High-Risk States
Image: Porch Piracy Data Across the US
Washington DC takes the infamous lead in package theft, with over 80% of residents falling victim to porch pirates. The prevalence is so high that local police routinely run sting operations—planting decoy Amazon boxes to catch thieves red-handed.
On the West Coast, Oregon ranks second for package theft, with 71% of residents having lost deliveries to porch predators. Amazon shipments make up the majority (80%) of stolen packages, but UPS parcels are also at risk.
Missouri claims third place in package theft rates, with 68% of its locals targeted by thieves. Notably, 40% of Missourians believe the government is taking no action to address this pervasive issue, fueling a sense that citizens might take matters into their own hands.
States with the Lowest Incidence of Porch Piracy
While some states struggle with rampant package theft, others report much lower rates:
– Nebraska boasts the country’s lowest rate of porch piracy, with less than 25% having their packages stolen. Of those affected, 84% hadn’t experienced theft in the past six months.
– Maine also enjoys a low theft rate, with residents reporting only occasional losses—usually just one or two incidents a year.
– Indiana rounds out the top three safest states. Almost half its residents use security systems, and 15% opt to send packages to trusted neighbors for safekeeping.
The Cities Where Package Theft Is Most Widespread
Contrary to assumptions that urban dwellers are safer thanks to building security, cities are often hotbeds for package theft:
– Philadelphia is the undisputed porch pirate capital, with 82% of locals experiencing frequent theft. The vast majority express frustration with local authorities, believing little is being done to resolve the issue.
– New York City faces an overwhelming number of thefts, with estimates as high as 90,000 packages stolen daily. 81% of New Yorkers say they regularly encounter this problem, and sentiment toward the city’s efforts to combat it is overwhelmingly negative.
– New Orleans comes in third, where 80% have had packages stolen. Concerns grow as residents anticipate increased theft over the summer months.
– Orlando and Los Angeles also rank high—78% and 75% respectively—demonstrating that porch piracy is a nationwide problem regardless of location.
Popular Strategies for Preventing Package Theft
Americans aren’t taking these losses lying down. Some of the most commonly used tactics to deter porch pirates include:
– Working from home to receive packages immediately.
– Utilizing package lockers for secure delivery.
– Relying on security systems like doorbell cameras.
– Getting help from neighbors willing to accept deliveries.
– Deploying guard dogs to deter opportunistic thieves.
– A small minority have resorted to displaying firearms or setting up decoy packages to catch criminals in the act.
What Thieves Are Stealing: Packages and Food Deliveries
Amazon dominates the delivery landscape, so it’s no surprise that their packages make up 59% of those reported stolen. However, the second most-targeted deliveries are food orders. Many respondents said theft of food deliveries happens up to six times a month—with meal services and food delivery apps among the most at risk, including Uber Eats, DoorDash, Deliveroo, and Hello Fresh.
Summary: Staying One Step Ahead of Porch Pirates
Over half of Americans (53%) have dealt with at least one stolen package, and as summer brings both more deliveries and more opportunity for theft, vigilance is key. With technology and creative strategies, residents are working hard to keep porch pirates at bay. Proactive steps—like using video doorbells, securing delivery locations, and relying on neighbor support—can help tip the odds in favor of keeping your parcels safe.
Research Methodology
This report stems from a May 2024 survey involving 3,000 adults aged 18 to 65 across the United States. The demographic breakdown included 56% female, 42% male, with 1% each identifying as transgender, non-binary, or other categories.
Permission to Use This Data
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