New York City is the city with the most package theft in the United States, with nearly $1 billion lost last year, according to a recent report.
of annual research SafeWise estimates that 120.5 million packages will be snatched from American doorsteps in 2023, resulting in a total loss of nearly $16 billion.
In terms of value, New York City is the city hardest hit by porch piracy, with losses of $945 million last year. Philadelphia ($450 million) and Chicago ($262 million) were next on the list. Washington, D.C. ($232 million) and Houston ($207 million) rounded out the top five in SafeWise's annual rankings.
However, the cities with the highest economic losses are not necessarily the cities with the highest number of package thefts. Of the top 10 cities with the most package thefts, Cleveland had the most thefts per capita, with nearly 1,400 thefts per 1,000 households. This suggests that the thief hit the same house multiple times.
Other recurring hotspots included Beckley, West Virginia (2,391 incidents per 1,000 households); Hot Springs, Arkansas (2,107 per 1,000 people); Goldsboro, North Carolina (1,880 per 1,000 people), according to Safewise.
The holiday season, which has already seen a surge in online shopping this year, presents even more opportunities for package thieves.
“During this time of year, people are busier, work later, spend more time away from home shopping or visiting family and friends, their lifestyles change, and they spend less time leaving their belongings exposed on their porches. It’s long,” Ben Stickle said. said in the report, a professor at Middle Tennessee State University and an expert on package theft.
Many Americans are take additional measures You need to secure your online orders, transfer your luggage to a secure locker, or find an apartment building with a luggage room.
Of those surveyed by SafeWise, 84% said they added deterrent measures after their package was stolen, with security cameras and video doorbells being the most common. Some people are working with neighbors to ensure they receive their packages.
There was also some good news in this report. The number of packages swiped did not increase much from the previous year, it only increased. Approximately 1 million. Safewise concluded that this small increase was likely due to population growth rather than a spike in crime.
The 2024 report states, “The stable rate of package theft allows us to cautiously conclude that pouch piracy may have reached its peak.”
Historically leaders in package theft, including Seattle, San Diego, and Portland, Oregon, all fell in the rankings this year.
The company recommends these five tips to keep your luggage safe.
- Opt in to delivery alerts
- signature required
- Make alternative arrangements (such as a secure locker or a friend)
- Use security technology
- cooperate with neighbors
SafeWise is an online guide to safety and security products. The website combined FBI crime statistics, independent safety surveys, and suitability survey data to determine its annual rankings.
According to SafeWise, the top 10 cities with the most package theft in 2024 are:
The ranking is based on the estimated value of all packages stolen in the area.
- New York City: $945 million
- Philadelphia: $450 million
- Chicago: $262 million
- Washington DC: $232 million
- Houston: $207 million
- Atlanta: $155 million
- Charlotte, North Carolina: $152 million
- Dallas-Fort Worth: $151 million
- Boston: $144 million
- Cleveland: $133 million
