Crime & Safety
Maine Porch Pirate Warning as Holidays Near in Portland, Bangor
Portland, ME – With Thanksgiving approaching and Christmas shopping already underway, Maine residen…
By Marcus Hale · 2026-11-10T20:23:41.942Z
Portland, ME – With Thanksgiving approaching and Christmas shopping already underway, Maine residents are being reminded to keep a closer eye on their front porches as holiday package deliveries begin increasing. From Portland and Bangor to smaller communities across the state, the seasonal surge in online shopping can create opportunities for package thieves, commonly known as "porch pirates."
According to general package theft prevention guidance from law enforcement and delivery services, unattended deliveries can become attractive targets for thieves, particularly when boxes remain outside for extended periods.
As Thanksgiving and Christmas draw closer, major delivery companies including Amazon, UPS, FedEx and the U.S. Postal Service are entering one of their busiest shipping periods of the year.
Holiday Shopping Brings Package Theft Concerns
Residents in communities including Lewiston, Auburn and South Portland may see more packages arriving at their homes throughout November and December as holiday orders increase.
Households expecting frequent deliveries are encouraged to monitor tracking notifications, retrieve packages promptly and arrange for deliveries when someone is home.
Additional precautions include using secure delivery locations, requesting signature confirmation when available and asking a trusted neighbor to collect packages during extended absences.
Doorbell cameras and home security systems may also help residents monitor activity around their front entrances.
Wrong Deliveries Can Create Additional Problems
Along with concerns about porch pirates, the holiday shipping rush can also lead to packages being accidentally delivered to the wrong address.
Residents who receive packages intended for someone else should take steps to ensure they reach their rightful recipients.
If a package belongs to a nearby neighbor, residents may deliver it to the correct address. Otherwise, contacting the shipping company can help arrange for proper delivery or retrieval.
Knowingly keeping someone else's misdelivered package could result in legal consequences, depending on the circumstances.
As Thanksgiving approaches and Christmas deliveries begin arriving at doorsteps across Maine, residents are encouraged to remain alert, watch for suspicious activity and report suspected package theft to local law enforcement.
Taking a few extra precautions during the holiday shopping season can help protect purchases and ensure gifts reach their intended destinations.