Neighbor News
Runestad bill to crack down on porch pirates signed into law
Legislation signed into law will now allow local law enforcement and prosecutors to investigate and charge for stealing mail
A new law, signed by the Governor on Tuesday will allow local law enforcement to investigate for mail theft. The legislation goes into effect in 90 days. By the holiday season, prosecutors will now have a state statute to crack down on stolen packages. Porch pirates are also targeting mail order prescription drugs and stealing social security checks.
The United States Postal Inspection Service does not investigate mail theft unless it also involves identify theft or rises to a very high dollar threshold. Since uncashed checks have no value, and mail theft is escalating, Senator Runestad advocated for options for local law enforcement. Senator Runestad worked with the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Michigan Prosecutor's Association, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office and Sheriff Bouchard to create this new state mail theft penalty.