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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 9, 2020 03:48 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Wendi Thomas |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Theft of Mail |
| I had been working with the Bucks County DA, Matt Weintraub, to crack down on home delivery theft. With the onset of this health crisis, I put it aside. I am putting out this co-sponsor now after reading: “Deliveries of groceries and packages are soaring as physical retailers close their doors and tens of millions of Americans “shelter in place.” Moreover, the need for social distancing may encourage more delivery workers to leave packages unattended on porches rather than risk an interaction with someone who has the coronavirus.” - https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/coronavirus-has-made-porch-piracy-even-easier-140157. Therefore in the near future, I intend to introduce legislation entitled Theft of Mail. This bill provides that if a person takes mail of another person with the intent to deprive them of it, the person would commit a criminal offense. With the heath crisis we are in, online purchases are way up. And while we are at home, there is certainly much less of an issue. But as we move forward, this will become a much broader issue. A 2019 report found that 36% of Americans who shop online have had a package stolen. Theft of mail is currently charged under other theft offenses based solely on the value of the item taken. My legislation would implement specific penalties for theft of mail which includes a package, bag or letter. The grading of this offense would increase if the person has prior convictions for theft of mail. Here is a news story of the issue in my town this past holiday season: https://6abc.com/package-theft-delivery-christmas-deliver-porch-pirates/5752812/. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. |
Introduced as HB2595