(NewsNation) — New York City is the city with the most package theft in the U.S., with nearly $1 billion lost last year, according to a recent report.
SafeWise’s annual study estimates that 120.5 million packages will be snatched from American doorsteps in 2023, with 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, DC ($232 million) and Houston ($207 million) round 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. Among the top 10 cities with the most package thefts, the city with the highest number of thefts per capita was Cleveland, with approximately 1,400 thefts per 1,000 households. This suggests that the thief hit the same house multiple times.
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Other recurring hotspots included Beckley, West Virginia (2,391 incidents per 1,000 households); Hot Springs, Arkansas (2,107 per 1,000); Goldsboro, North Carolina (1,880 per 1,000), according to Safewise.
The holiday season, which already sees a surge in online shopping, 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 taking extra steps to protect their online orders, such as transferring packages to secure lockers or looking for apartments with luggage rooms.
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Of those surveyed by SafeWise, 84% said they added deterrent measures after their package was stolen, with security cameras or 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 increased little from the previous year, by about 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, all fell in the rankings this year.
SafeWise recommends these five tips to keep your luggage safe.
Select delivery alerts Require a signature Make alternative arrangements (such as a secure locker or a friend) Use security technology Collaborate 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, New York: $945 million Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: $450 million Chicago, Illinois: $262 million Washington, DC: $232 million Houston, Texas: $207 million Atlanta, Georgia: $155 million Charlotte, North Carolina: $152 million Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas: $151 million Boston, Massachusetts: $144 million Cleveland, Ohio: $133 million
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