MADISON (NBC 26) -- After an increase in porch pirating, two Wisconsin state representatives proposed a bill that would charge porch pirates with felonies, according to a press release.
Rep. Bob Hutton (R-Brookfield) and Sen. David Craig (R-Big Bend) proposed the bill Thursday.
“We need to ensure that law enforcement has the tools they need to effectively target criminals who are stealing packages from our homes,” said Rep. Hutton. “The way consumers are spending their money is rapidly shifting and our laws need to keep up with the shift toward purchasing products online."
Under the bill, mail theft would be considered a class A misdemeanor for someone who stole less than 10 pieces of mail, a class I felony for someone who stole between 10 and 30 pieces of mail and a class H felony for someone who stole over 30 pieces of mail.
Some people in Brown County would be in favor of such a bill. Todd Axtell, of De Pere, was expecting some printing paper - only it never came.
"We checked the tracking on it and the UPS driver said it was delivered," Axtell said. "When I got home, it wasn't there."
Green Bay police say they have seen a rise in package thefts over the last few years.
"Sadly we have seen throughout the city over time packages on porches that criminals suspects, pedestrians, walk by and take things off the porch," said Kevin Wayrch from the Green Bay Police Department.
They advise people expecting packages over the next few weeks to install a porch surveillance system.
"That camera provides evidence that the crime occurred and gives the officers to ability to back track and locate the person responsible for committing these crimes," Warych said.
If that is not a possibility, they advise requesting a signature for the package. That way it ensures safety.
