MI Lawmakers Are Trying to Put an End to “Porch Pirates”

It's such an exciting feeling coming home to a package waiting for you. Not so exciting? Finding out your package was stolen; which is becoming an increasingly bigger problem as people are doing most of their shopping online.

Lawmakers in Michigan are now coming up with a plan to put an end to (or at least limit) those who steal people's packages -- otherwise known as "porch pirates." A bill was introduced "to prohibit the theft of mail..." and was passed by the Senate on Thursday, according to Abc12.

The bill states that If someone is caught they will be charged with a misdemeanor the first time around which includes up to 1 year in jail and/or a $500 fine. Second time offenders can face up to 5 years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine. Repeat offenders can be sentenced up to 10 years.

A Senate member told ABC12 that they hope this will take effect, and go into law, before the holiday season... a porch pirate's favorite time of the year. The bill is headed to the House for approval now.

Between 2017 and 2018 there were about 19,000 complaints throughout the state. 90% of those complaints were regarding Amazon packages. Grand Rapids Police told WOOD-TV that they get a call every week about a package stolen from someone's house.