Evan Low Bill to Prosecute Package Thieves Passes Assembly’s Committee on Public Safety

SACRAMENTO — Today Assemblymember Evan Low’s (D-Silicon Valley) legislation to hold package thieves accountable, AB 2814, passed out of the California State Assembly Committee on Public Safety. The bill will make it a crime to enter the vicinity of a home with the intent to commit theft of any shipped packages, which will strengthen California law by providing a legal method for law enforcement to charge any individual that enters someone’s property and steals delivered packages.

California law prohibits stealing private property and packages, but there is not a punishable crime for entering the area around the home with the intent to steal, only if they go inside a house or enclosed structure, so many individuals stealing packages off doorsteps face few consequences and ultimately are released to continue to victimize and steal from the community.

The broader San Francisco – Oakland – San Jose area has consistently ranked number one in the country with the highest rate of package thefts. With more than 80% of individuals now shopping online, porch piracy continues to plague residents and California law has not caught up to provide law enforcement the necessary tools to deter the crime.

AB 2814 now heads to the Committee on Appropriations.

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Evan Low represents the Silicon Valley in the California State Assembly. He was elected in 2014 after serving as a Councilmember and Mayor for the City of Campbell. He serves as a Member of the Assembly Committees on Business and Professions, Elections, Governmental Organization, Higher Education, and Rules. Assemblymember Low also serves as the Chair of the California Asian American & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, is the founder and Co-Chair of the California Legislative Technology & Innovation Caucus, and is a Member of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus.