Tech Approach to Porch Pirates?

Question

Tis the season for porch pirates.I had a minor incident with porch pirate and while minor it was annoying. I mostly refuse to install cameras, but as a result I am debating Fallout style rotating turrets watching people walking up the stairs. Obviously not plasma turrets, calm down. I am clearly joking.Anyway, I wondered if anyone was playing with anything beyond just reporting/passing video to cops ( if they have a recording )?

verdverm · Accepted Answer

Mark Rober has multiple iterations of a glitter bomb (honey pot package)https://youtu.be/3c584TGG7jQ?si=SdIyXyNdMiVQxFFq

slater · Answer

Low-tech: Install a one-way drawer thing, like what Hannibal Lecter had in his cell.

ilaksh · Answer

I don't know about now, but I think this is going to be another solid use case for robots, once we get to a certain high level of dexterity and capability in general. Could be 5-10 years or more.
Although an easier solution would be for a less capable robot to be armed with pepper spray. All couriers or visitors need to use an app or a verification code. If they don't provide it and are not in the face database and try to continue then they are pepper sprayed.
Also a good way to keep out unwanted solicitors.

mikequinlan · Answer

The solution to porch pirates is social, not technical.

no_time · Answer

Accept that wherever you live has transformed from a high trust area to a low trust one.Where I live, just leaving a package outside the fence (postman can't even get to the door) would be bonkers. And this isn't an area with a lot of crime. People just don't trust eachother much to begin with.

mikewarot · Answer

If I decided to order something (through Amazon) that I can't afford to have left out on the porch, I'd have it sent to one of their lockers about 200 meters away at the local Gas Station, and pick it up there.
If this happens often, consider getting a UPS drop box, or a box at your Post Office.
Otherwise, a neighbor who is home at all hours.

pseingatl · Answer

Buy an industrial post box, paint it black and anchor it to your porch.

muzani · Answer

Reminder that booby traps are a war crime, and that includes zapping them with lasers:
https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/ccw-protocol-...
I believe glitter bombs and dye packets don't qualify as "superfluous injury", but I am not a lawyer.

solardev · Answer

How about a fake camera that has some blinking LED but doesn't actually record anything?And maybe shit in a bag and put it in a retaped Amazon box and leave it out for someone to take. Bonus points if you can stick a bunch of maggots in there that become flies by the time they open it.

Tech Approach to Porch Pirates?

Mark Rober has multiple iterations of a glitter bomb (honey pot package)
https://youtu.be/3c584TGG7jQ?si=SdIyXyNdMiVQxFFq

Low-tech: Install a one-way drawer thing, like what Hannibal Lecter had in his cell.

The solution to porch pirates is social, not technical.

Accept that wherever you live has transformed from a high trust area to a low trust one.
Where I live, just leaving a package outside the fence (postman can't even get to the door) would be bonkers. And this isn't an area with a lot of crime. People just don't trust eachother much to begin with.

Buy an industrial post box, paint it black and anchor it to your porch.

Reminder that booby traps are a war crime, and that includes zapping them with lasers:
https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/ccw-protocol-...
I believe glitter bombs and dye packets don't qualify as "superfluous injury", but I am not a lawyer.

How about a fake camera that has some blinking LED but doesn't actually record anything?
And maybe shit in a bag and put it in a retaped Amazon box and leave it out for someone to take. Bonus points if you can stick a bunch of maggots in there that become flies by the time they open it.

Tech Approach to Porch Pirates?

Mark Rober has multiple iterations of a glitter bomb (honey pot package)https://youtu.be/3c584TGG7jQ?si=SdIyXyNdMiVQxFFq

Low-tech: Install a one-way drawer thing, like what Hannibal Lecter had in his cell.

The solution to porch pirates is social, not technical.

Accept that wherever you live has transformed from a high trust area to a low trust one.Where I live, just leaving a package outside the fence (postman can't even get to the door) would be bonkers. And this isn't an area with a lot of crime. People just don't trust eachother much to begin with.

Buy an industrial post box, paint it black and anchor it to your porch.

Reminder that booby traps are a war crime, and that includes zapping them with lasers:https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/ccw-protocol-...I believe glitter bombs and dye packets don't qualify as "superfluous injury", but I am not a lawyer.

How about a fake camera that has some blinking LED but doesn't actually record anything?And maybe shit in a bag and put it in a retaped Amazon box and leave it out for someone to take. Bonus points if you can stick a bunch of maggots in there that become flies by the time they open it.

Mark Rober has multiple iterations of a glitter bomb (honey pot package)
https://youtu.be/3c584TGG7jQ?si=SdIyXyNdMiVQxFFq

Accept that wherever you live has transformed from a high trust area to a low trust one.
Where I live, just leaving a package outside the fence (postman can't even get to the door) would be bonkers. And this isn't an area with a lot of crime. People just don't trust eachother much to begin with.

Reminder that booby traps are a war crime, and that includes zapping them with lasers:
https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/ccw-protocol-...
I believe glitter bombs and dye packets don't qualify as "superfluous injury", but I am not a lawyer.

How about a fake camera that has some blinking LED but doesn't actually record anything?
And maybe shit in a bag and put it in a retaped Amazon box and leave it out for someone to take. Bonus points if you can stick a bunch of maggots in there that become flies by the time they open it.