Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. Police Beat

Barrie police warn residents of upswing in 'porch pirate' thefts

'It’s not epidemic by any means, but we have had a number of occurrences,' says police official following afternoon thefts in northwest and southwest Barrie
Nikki Cole
11042024packageonporchstock
Barrie police are warning residents to be aware of "porch pirates" stealing packages.Robert So photo via Pexels

With only 51 shopping days left until Christmas, local "porch pirates" are hoping your deliveries will help them scratch that important person off of their holiday list.

Barrie police are warning residents to keep a close eye on their home deliveries after seeing an increase in the number of thefts being carried out by "porch pirates," which is a term used to describe individuals who steal packages from other people's homes.

Currently, police say they are noticing this trend in northwest and southwest Barrie, usually around 3 p.m., says Peter Leon, the local department’s communications co-ordinator.

Police are urging residents across the city to be aware of the increase in thefts and to consider having a neighbour pick up your package if you are expecting a delivery before a porch pirate does.

“It’s not epidemic by any means, but we have had a number of occurrences," said Leon. "It is that time of year where people do a lot of internet ordering and a lot of these deliveries come and will sit on your porch until you get home … or if somebody happens to be walking by your house and sees something that draws your attention and the next thing you know your long-awaited delivery is no longer there for you when you do get home.”

Police hope that by letting people know about the current thefts, they can help prevent others from experiencing the same loss as the busy holiday season approaches. 

“(We) are asking people to consider planning ahead. There are boxes that are available for small and mid-sized items that … you can have access to a key. It’s like a drop slot in a mailbox,” Leon said. “The other thing you could do … is arrange with a neighbour who might be available to come and pick it up, then retrieve it from them when you get home at the end of the day.

"It’s about ensuring whatever you’ve ordered made it into your hands and not in the hands of someone else. This is the time of year where we start to see crazy things happening with home deliveries," he added.