We have noticed that as online shopping becomes more common, porch piracy is unfortunately on the rise in Canada. Even with tracking alerts and security cameras, package theft remains a major issue, leading to financial loss and frustrated customers. A 2023 survey found that 26-30% of Canadians have experienced package theft, with concerns especially high in urban areas. While some try to prevent theft by hiding packages or requiring signatures, these solutions are not always effective or convenient.

Our project, PackagePatrol, will create a secure and reliable system to stop packages from being stolen, making online shopping safer and more trustworthy for everyone.

Phase 1;

Designing and planning

We conducted research on package theft issues and examined past designs that have been used to prevent theft. This helped us understand what has worked before and what could be improved. We also sketched our own box design to create a 3D-printed model with a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism itself was designed using TinkerCAD and will also be 3D-printed.

Phase 2;

App

Made an app prototype that can be connected to the Package Patrol box.

Apps features

Main page

Password page

Connect page

Status

History

Settings

https://studio.code.org/projects/applab/VGnwwgL7LjZfrWN2t9q_fWpumD8g-8PXChIZ4rWIY-M

(App link)

The prototype;

Main page

 

The password page will look like this on the app. When you click the “Generate” button it will automatically generate a random password that you can use for the box to unlock.

 

The numbers will look like this and will change to a different 4 digit code whenever you click the “Generate” button.  

 

When you click “connect” it will show boxes to connect for example in this image you can connect to your box and if you want to connect to another box you can use the arrow key and connect to the other box.

 

When clicking the “status” you will see something like this if your box has a package in it, it will show loaded and as soon as you get the package out it will be unloaded.

 

“History” will show when you had a package delivered inside the box and will show a history of whenever it gets unloaded and loaded, as well as the previous codes used and the time and day (with the time zone).

 

In the settings you will see a selection for multiple languages, at the moment we only have this but plan to add more.

 

Phase 3;

Code 

Develop the code (either Java or Java blocks) for the locking mechanism. For our app, we used JavaScript to ensure it functions as intended. We will use Android studio for the code in the box.

App code for package patrol

Phase 4;

Material Choice

To make Package Patrol a durable and reliable product, we carefully considered material choices. Since weather conditions such as rain, wind, and snow are common in Canada, we need a weather-resistant material. We plan to use sturdy plastic, metal, or steel to ensure long-term durability. Selecting the right material is essential to prevent damage and maintain customer satisfaction.

Phase 5;

Prototype

Before finalizing anything, we start with a prototype. We'll sketch out our initial ideas for Package Patrol on paper and then create a final prototype that we believe is the best design.

Building

Once we finalized our prototype, we began building the box and the locking system. Most of the components were 3D-printed and assembled, and we used servo motors from REV to power the locking mechanism. Our goal was to design a prototype that fits standard package sizes. In the future, we plan to expand by offering different sizes, allowing consumers to choose what works best for them.

 

(designed on tinker cad) 

Latchhand hook ^

The latch hook was designed on TinkerCAD. Fortunately, our first design worked as expected, so we did not need to reprint it. This latch is responsible for securing the locking mechanism.

Phase 6;

Testing

We want Package Patrol to be the best it can be, so we'll test it as many times as needed to ensure it's perfect.

Refining

Improvements will be made based on feedback from our teacher, Ms. Atabayeva, and our robotics team, to figure out what changes are necessary and what should stay the same.

Phase 7;

Implementation

We'll finalize the prototype, making changes based on previous feedback and lessons learned. 

Prototype one; (for locking mechanism)

The first prototype we were able to notice that the 3D printing design measurements weren't to scale and that the motor wasn't fitting the way we wanted it to and decided to 3D print another design.

Prototype 2;

In this prototype the motor was able to fit perfectly but we made the mistake of adding the holes a bit too low for the screws to go in, due to this we decided to 3D print it again; with the hole sizing to measurements.

Prototype 3; (final design) 

(designed on tinkercad)

In the final prototype we were able to place the holes perfectly alligning with the motors holes which allowed the screws to go in, and the motor fit perfectly at the top. This final design had fortunately no issues and worked out the way we wanted it to. After finalizing our prototype, we made final improvements based on previous feedback and lessons learned. We then evaluated the design to ensure it provides a secure solution for protecting packages.

Evaluation

By gathering comments and feedback, we'll evaluate the final design to make sure it's one of the best solutions for protecting packages from porch pirates.

Current designs;

Currently there are boxes that typically work just like a FedEx, UPS, or U.S. Postal Service drop box, with an opening at the top for couriers to deposit packages that fall into a secure compartment at the bottom. They can even be bolted to your porch or weighed down with sand or weights

 

A package lockbox is a dedicated box, about the size of a trash bin, that sits by your front door. They have receptacles for depositing and storing larger packages that wouldn't fit in traditional mailbox-locked compartments. They come in many different designs and colors and can easily blend in with your porch palette. Delivery people secure packages in the box when no one's home to get them, and they stay safe for later retrieval.

Packages that are stolen the most;

In November 2024 it was shown that around 12 million packages were stolen by porch pirates in North America.

Amazon had the most percentage for this issues which lead them to put new rules in place to help stop porch piracy, like requiring a signature for some deliveries or taking a photo of the package when it’s dropped off. While these steps add some security, they don’t really solve the problem. If no one is home, drivers still leave packages on the porch, where they can easily be stolen. Porch pirates are still a big issue, and packages are often taken before the homeowner even gets a chance to grab them. Even with Amazon’s efforts, package theft remains a frustrating problem for customers.

Cases rising;

 

From 2019 to 2020 people were able to report that a package was increasing in getting stolen which causes this to rise from 36% to 43%. Unfortunately around two-thirds (64%) have said that they have been a victim of package theft more than once.

 

Due to these issues 32% of consumers said that delivery companies aren’t putting enough effort into these cases, which is why the packages are getting stolen easily.

 

Common strategies of a porch pirate;

 

Porch pirates will commonly strike during the times of 6 AM to 6 PM because of how most homeowners aren’t at home during those times, whether it’s picking up their kids or getting off at work this is a major issue for many consumers. The porch pirates will unfortunately strike at the same place twice because of them having past experience in stealing their previous packages.

They seem to often target certain residential building types more than others. Homes with more occupants tend to experience higher theft rates, because of how densely populated dwellings offer more potential targets and allow them to blend in much more easily. Another factor could be that single family homes are more challenging to approach without being noticed and are more likely to have security measures in place.

About 45% of the victims have reported having packages being stolen more than once. But the police have only been able to catch less than 10% of the thefts in reporting cases.

 

Financial and Emotional

 

• Financial Impacts

 

This is different for everyone but on average for one package they can lose around 100-200 dollars and (globally) it’s 5.4 billion dollars in goods that are stolen. These thefts leave some small businesses have bad reviews due to these issues which can lead to having financial issues and can cause a huge loss for the business. 

 

Although 100-200 dollars doesn’t seem much, for many consumers this is quite a lot and unfortunately they will strike the same houses if the first time went successful and this can really make a consumer lose a lot of money (depending on how expensive their package is).

 

• Emotional impacts

Porch piracy can lead to three common emotional impacts. Violation of personal space, Trust and Increased anxiety and stress.

 

Violation of personal space

Having a package stolen can feel like an invasion to privacy, this will lead the homeowner to not feel safe enough to be outside of their house hoping nothing happens while they are gone.

 

Increased anxiety and stress

Getting a package stolen whether it's urgently needed or important can increase a lot of stress and anxiety. Many victims have been concerned for their future deliveries leading them to constantly monitor a package.

 

Trust

Having many cases like this to one consumer will cause them to lose trust when it comes to online shopping and won't want to receive packages without being home.

 

These emotional tolls need effective measures to combat porch piracy and restore peace of mind for consumers.

 

Charges in Canada 

 

Currently according to the toronto shop lifting lawyer website it states that "Adults who get caught will most often be charged with theft under $5000 and/or possession of property obtained by crime. There may be multiple counts depending on how many houses were targeted. If the accused is under age 18 at the time of the offence they will be charged with the same offences under the YCJA (Youth Criminal Justice Act) which requires that the Police serve the child’s parent or guardian “Notice to Parent” paperwork informing them of the charges."

 

What is YCJA?

 

YCJA stands for the Youth Criminal Justice Act, a federal Canadian law that governs the youth justice system, applying to young people aged 12 to 17 who are charged with criminal offence

 

The YCJA focuses on principles like crime prevention, rehabilitation, reintegration, meaningful consequences, protection of the public, and accountability and was open in 2003 replacing the YOA (Young offenders act). The YCJA prefers alternatives to jail, like warnings, community service, or rehab programs, to help young offenders learn and improve. However, for very serious crimes, harsher punishments, including adult sentences, may still apply.

 

Main Goals of the YCJA

 

The YCJA is based on key ideas to guide how young offenders are treated:

1. Preventing crime – Stopping youth from getting involved in crime in the first place.

2. Rehabilitation and reintegration – Helping young offenders change their behavior and return to society in a positive way.

3. Fair consequences – Making sure youth face appropriate punishments that help them learn from their mistakes.

4. Protecting the public – Reducing the chances of young offenders committing crimes again.

5. Accountability – Encouraging youth to take responsibility for their actions in a way that fits their age and understanding.

 

How they get caught

(only 10% cases police have been able to caught the theft)

The two main ways the police gather evidence to charge is through eye witnesses and security camera footage. The eye witness is often a neighbour or a local walking by. For homes with security systems they are most often placed in an obvious way to deter potential thieves. Doorbell cameras are also gaining popularity (Ring, Nest, etc.) and are regularly used in prosecuting porch theft cases.


Police will often tell victims of porch theft to monitor sites like Kijiji and Craigslist to see if a new listing appears for the stolen item(s). Many times the thieves will want to unload the property as soon as possible by selling it at an obviously marked down price online. Police will also sometimes conduct stings/busts to specifically identify individuals trafficking stolen merchandise. These stings usually involve an undercover police officer purchasing the stolen property and then arresting those involved. It is considered an aggravating factor to traffick the stolen items (as opposed to personal use).

 

Porch pirates don’t always steal packages just for personal use; in many cases, they resell stolen goods for quick cash. If an item is valuable enough, thieves may take it to a pawnshop, where they can exchange it for money without raising suspicion. Many pawnshops don’t require proof of ownership, making it easier for stolen goods to be sold.

 

Most common items sold 

 

High-value electronics 

 - Ipad

-  Iphone

- Laptop and etc

 

Designer clothing

- Gucci

- Louis Vitton

- Chanel and etc

 

These brands have high resale value, and limited-edition pieces can sell for even more. This can apply for jeweleries as well.

 

Expensive Jewlery

- Necklaces

- Watches

- Earrings and etc.

 

Common sites for stolen items being sold

 

Kijiji

 

Craigslist

 

LeoList

 

eBay

 

Facebook marketplace

 

Etc

 

Why is it sold?

(with all the methods)

 

Pawnshops: Many don’t require proof of purchase, allowing thieves to exchange stolen goods for cash.
 

Online Marketplaces: Websites like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp, and eBay make it easy for thieves to sell stolen goods anonymously.
 

Black Market/Underground Dealers: Some porch pirates have connections to buyers who knowingly purchase stolen tech in bulk, refurbish it, and resell it.

 

eBays policy

Due to these issues ebay has a policy which states that any stolen property from private individuals or property taken without authorization from companies or government cannot be listed for sale, and if anyone sees a stolen item on sale they will need to contact eBay.

Based on our testing, Project Package Patrol worked as expected by successfully collecting packages and locking immediately after. However, there were some areas that needed improvement. Due to the timing being an issue we used cardboard, but this still functioned how we wanted it to. 

One of the key features of Project Package Patrol is it’s connection to our app, which allows users to monitor their deliveries in real time. The app provides notifications when a package is placed inside, giving users peace of mind and added security.

During testing, we found that our design is effective against porch pirates and helps prevent package theft. The locking mechanism worked well, and with stronger materials, this will not be an issue in the future. We plan to improve the design by using a larger, sturdier box made from stronger materials like steel or heavy-duty plastic to enhance durability and security.

Looking ahead, we plan to expand the project by adding more security features, such as improved locks and possibly adding cameras for additional protection. By making these changes, Project Package Patrol will be an even more reliable and effective solution for preventing package theft. 

1. Mark Rober. (2018). Glitter Bomb 1.0 vs Porch Pirates. Retrieved October 30, 2024, from https://youtu.be/xoxhDk-hwuo?si=2pgPbCU7c5xh5jgm.

 

2. Daniel Wroclawski. Senior Multimedia Content Creator, “At-Home Review: Package Delivery Boxes to Deter Porch Pirates.” Consumer Reports, Daniel Wroclawski, 9 Dec. 2022, https://www.consumerreports.org/money/shipping-delivery/package-delivery-box-review-deter-package-theft-pirates-a8807161138/. Accessed 05 Feb. 2025.

 

3. Lacoma, Tyler. “This Age-Old Device Stops Porch Pirates Every Time.” CNET, 26 Nov. 2024, www.cnet.com/home/security/this-age-old-device-stops-porch-pirates-every-time/. Accessed 05 Feb. 2025.

 

4. Edwards, Rebecca. “Worst Metro Cities for Package Theft for 2024 | Safewise.” Worst Metro Cities for Package Theft for 2024, Rebecca Edwards, 5 Nov. 2024, www.safewise.com/blog/metro-areas-porch-theft/. Accessed 07 Feb. 2025.

 

5. Tuazon, Angelle. “2020 Package Theft Statistics Report: C+R.” Market Research Chicago | Market Research Companies | C+R, 15 Dec. 2020, www.crresearch.com/blog/2020-package-theft-statistics-report/. Accessed 07 Feb. 2025.

 

6. “8 Key Facts about Package Theft.” The Modern Mailbox, Adorn, www.adoorn.com/blogs/news/porch-piracy-101/. Accessed 07 Feb. 2025.

 

7. Adkins, Matthew. “2024 Package Theft Annual Report and Statistics.” Security.Org, 12 Nov. 2024, www.security.org/package-theft/annual-report/. Accessed 07 Feb. 2025.

 

8. Kangaroo. “How Porch Piracy Impacts Amazon Package Deliveries.” TheRooYorker, 9 Jan. 2024, www.blog.heykangaroo.com/blog/how-porch-piracy-impacts-amazon-package-deliveries. Accessed 08 Feb. 2025.

 

9. “The Growing Threat of Porch Piracy: A Call to Action.” Robotic Assistance Devices (RAD), RAD, 2 Dec. 2024, radsecurity.com/the-growing-threat-of-porch-piracy-a-call-to-action/. Accessed 08 Feb. 2025. 

10. “Package Theft Statistics (2025): Number per Year, Costs & Trends.” Capital One Shopping, Captial One Shopping, 23 Feb. 2025, capitaloneshopping.com Accessed 23 Feb. 2025. 

11. “14% of Americans Face Package Theft: How Shipaid Shields e-Commerce Holiday Shipments.” ShiPaid Protection, ShiPaid, 18 Oct. 2023, www.shipaid.com/blog/14-of-americans-face-package-theft-how-shipaid-shields-e-commerce-deliveries-during-the-holidays. Accessed 25 Feb. 2025. 

 

12. “Stolen Property Policy.” eBay, www.ebay.com/help/policies/prohibited-restricted-items/stolen-property-policy?id=4334&utm_source. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

 

13. “Mail Theft: Porch and Doorstep Parcel Related Theft under $5000 Charges.” Mail Package and Porch Pirate Theft Charges, Toronto Shoplifting Lawyer,www.torontoshopliftinglawyer.ca/mailtheft.htm#:~:text=Adults%20who%20get%20caught%20will,how%20many%20houses%20were%20targeted. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

 

14. Branch, Legislative Services. “Consolidated Federal Laws of Canada, Youth Criminal Justice Act.” Youth Criminal Justice Act, 13 Feb. 2025, laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/y-1.5/#:~:text=Youth%20Criminal%20Justice%20Act. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

15. Balconera. Lockable Package Delivery Boxes, Large Galvanized Steel Mailbox for Porch, House, Curb side. Way fair Canada, www.wayfair.ca/outdoor/pdp/balconera-lockable-package-delivery-boxes-large-galvanized-steel-mailbox-for-porch-house-curbside-blcg4092.html.

 

16. 48 Gallon Package Delivery Box for Porch, Storage Box with Lockable Secure Lid, Waterproof and Weather Resistant." Amazon.ca, www.amazon.ca/Package-Delivery-Storage-Lockable-Waterproof/dp/B0CR9V5MQH.

 

17. Aivituvin Package Delivery Box for Outside with Combination Lock Waterproof. eBay, www.ebay.com/itm/186683680960.

This project would not be what it is today without the incredible support and contributions of several people. We would like to express our gratitude to Ms. Atabayeva, our Robotics coach and Science teacher, for inspiring this project, guiding us through the process, helping us find the right platform to create our app, providing us with essential parts, and even 3D printing components for us.

A huge thank you to Noor Muhammad, Mian Shayan, and Haniyah Rahman, who played key roles in making this project a reality. As dedicated team members, Noor helped with coding the app and ensuring everything ran smoothly, Shayan contributed by 3D printing key design measurements and constructing the box, and Haniyah brought her creativity to the table by helping us develop the logo.

We also want to give a special thanks to Mark Rober, whose YouTube videos sparked the idea for this project. This truly wouldn't have been possible without his inspiration.

Additionally, we want to recognize and appreciate all our fellow robotics team members #27931 ALCA robotics for their encouragement, support, and valuable ideas throughout the process. Their motivation helped push us forward and contributed to shaping our app.

To everyone who played a role in bringing this project to life thank you! Your support and contributions made all the difference.