Tennessee law enforces stricter punishment on "porch pirates" - WCYB

SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. — Last month Sullivan County resident Andrew Jonas placed an order for fabric softener and chocolate on Amazon.

"Got the notification that it was delivered, then it wasn't on the porch, so then we checked the cameras," said Jonas.

What he saw was shocking, someone stole his package.

Jonas said, "who has the audacity to walk up on somebody's porch and take their goods?"

He went on to add, "you feel slightly violated that somebody would come on to your property, take something from you, not bat an eye about it."

Last year Tennessee leaders passed a law to help stop these crimes from occurring.

Sullivan County District Attorney General Barry Staubus spoke about the new law saying, "if you take a package from someone’s yard or property, whether from postal or delivery services, you can be charged with theft. If you do it a second time, you will charged with a felony regardless of the value of the property."

Jonas said about the law, "putting it on that level, gives it a much greater sense of security."

Staubus says while the county has not seen many "porch pirate" theft cases yet, that could change soon.

"Now that the new law is in effect, and word gets out, we'll see more with law enforcement," said Staubus.

Both Staubus and Jonas say they recommend having a camera, that can watch where packages are dropped.

"If they do have the camera system we can get the individual," says Staubus.

"Definitely invest in a camera system, a ring doorbell, let the police take care of it from there," says Jonas.

source: https://wcyb.com/news/local/tennessee-law-enforces-stricter-punishment-on-porch-pirates

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