Package Theft Gets Federal Upgrade: 'Porch Pirates Act' Makes Stealing Deliveries a U.S. Crime.

The aptly named Porch Pirates Act of 2025 is looking to take a big bite out of package theft by making it a federal crime. Right now, if someone snags that Amazon delivery off your stoop, it’s usually handled by local police and state courts. This bill changes that by giving the federal government jurisdiction over packages stolen from private carriers like FedEx, UPS, or DHL, essentially treating them the same way they treat mail stolen from the U.S. Postal Service.

This legislation amends Section 659 of Title 18, United States Code, to criminalize the act of stealing, embezzling, or unlawfully taking a package delivered by any private or commercial interstate carrier before the addressee or their agent has taken physical possession (Sec. 3). For the average person, this means if your new smart watch or those must-have work boots disappear after being dropped off but before you get home, the crime now falls under federal law. The core purpose here is simple: stop the theft of packages shipped across state lines by raising the stakes for the thieves.

The Security Upgrade: Why Federal Oversight Matters

For anyone who relies on deliveries—whether you’re a parent ordering necessities or a small business owner receiving inventory—this bill offers a clear benefit: increased security. Package theft, or 'porch piracy,' has exploded with the rise of e-commerce, and local law enforcement often struggles to keep up. By federalizing this crime, the Act provides uniform protection nationwide and allows federal agencies to step in, potentially bringing more resources to investigations across state lines where organized theft rings operate.

Think of it this way: if you’re running a side hustle selling custom goods and your expensive materials keep getting stolen right after delivery, having the FBI or U.S. Attorneys involved sends a much stronger message than a local misdemeanor charge. This is a clear win for consumers and the massive logistics industry that keeps our modern economy running.

The Catch: Federalizing a Local Problem

While the goal is noble, the implementation raises some big questions about fairness and efficiency. This bill essentially takes a routine property crime—often a low-level offense at the state level—and elevates it to a federal offense (Sec. 3). For someone charged with stealing a single, low-value package, they will now face the full weight and complexity of the federal court system, which typically carries much harsher penalties and mandatory minimum sentences than state courts.

This shift in jurisdiction from local police and state judges to federal prosecutors and courts could create a significant burden, potentially clogging up federal dockets with cases that state courts are equipped to handle. We need to be clear: the individual caught stealing a $20 item could now be looking at federal prison time, a disproportionately severe outcome compared to what they would have faced before this Act. The bill provides the security we want, but it comes with the cost of potentially over-criminalizing property theft and shifting power away from local communities.