State Sen. April Weaver (R-Brierfield) will be taking on "porch pirates" in the next legislative session by making stealing packages or other items from someone else's porch a felony.
On Wednesday, Weaver announced her plans to draft the porch piracy bill.
"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," she added.
Porch piracy has been estimated to cost consumers $6 billion this year, a number that continues to grow due to the expansion of e-commerce following the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Forbes, Alabama is the 14th worst state in the union for porch piracy. In an analysis by Safewise, Birmingham and Hoover were the fourth worst metro cities in the U.S. for porch piracy.
If Weaver's bill is enacted, Alabama would become the 10th state in the nation to approve a legislative measure targeting porch pirating.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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