TN ranks 11th in country for “Porch Pirates”
With summer vacations and travel on the horizon, Forbes magazine has ranked Tennessee as the 11th worst state in the nation for porch pirates. According to a study by Capitol One Shopping, Americans lost more than $13 billion to package theft last year. In 2021, Tennessee enacted the so-called “Porch Pirate Law.” It redefines mail theft to include packages. The first offense is a misdemeanor, but the second offense is Class E felony, punishable by up to a year in jail. Officials say to combat the thefts, track your packages and take them inside ASAP. If you’re not going to be home, have them held or delivered somewhere safe. Police also say that video surveillance is key in catching the thieves in the act.