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State Sen. April Weaver, R – Brierfield, announced on Wednesday she is sponsoring legislation in the 2024 Regular Session which would make stealing deliveries from the homes of Alabamians, a practice commonly known as “porch pirating,” a felony offense punishable by 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.”
“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,” Weaver added.
If Weaver’s bill is enacted, Alabama would become the tenth state in the nation to approve a legislative measure targeting the porch pirating practice.
The legislation specifically adds “any item mailed or shipped to another person” to those that fall under Alabama’s existing theft of property statute and sets out a specific range of penalties based upon the value of the packages that are stolen.
Theft of packages with a value exceeding $2,500 would result in a charge of Theft of Property First Degree, which is a Class B felony punishable by to two to 20 years of incarceration.
Theft of packages with a value between $1,500 and $2,500 would result in a charge of Theft of Property Second Degree, which is a Class C felony punishable by one to 10 years of incarceration.
Theft of packages with a value between $500 and $1,499 would result in a charge of Theft of Property Third Degree, which is a Class D felony punishable by to one to five years of incarceration.
Theft of packages with a value up to $500 would result in a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year of incarceration.
The 2024 Regular Session is scheduled to convene on February 6.
