Porch pirates: examining unattended package theft through crime script analysis

Abstract

Package theft is an emerging crime type due to the tremendous growth in online shopping and the delivery of goods directly to a home. Unattended delivery creates an opportunity for thieves to steal packages after delivery and before the resident collects them. It is believed that these types of incidents are increasing dramatically, and media attention has amplified awareness and concern of ‘porch pirates.’ Currently, little is known about unattended package theft and the present study represents the first known scholarly examination of this crime. Using Video Data Analysis to examine 67 YouTube videos of porch pirates engaged in criminal activity, the authors develop a Crime Script Analysis and identify Situational Crime Prevention (SCP) practices that can interrupt porch piracy. Findings indicate porch piracy occurs during daylight hours, at homes closer to a roadway, and most often with packages that can be easily seen from the roadway which are of medium size and usually have brand names on the box. Further, traditional SCP techniques such as fences, cameras, and guardians appear to have little impact on the thieves. Prevention techniques are discussed with the most promising including: increasing the risks, concealing packages, and removing packages. Additional findings, prevention techniques, and limitations are discussed.