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Snare system is made to thwart porch pirates

By Ben Coxworth
July 24, 2020
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The Snare Parcel Protection system is presently on Kickstarter
Dennis Evans
The Snare Parcel Protection system is presently on Kickstarter
Dennis Evans
Snare should ultimately sell for $75
Dennis Evans

So-called "porch pirates" are generally looking for packages that they can grab quickly and easily … if anything presents a challenge, they'll just move on to another porch. It was with this in mind that the Snare Parcel Protection system was created.

Invented by Canadian entrepreneur (and former machinist) Dennis Evans, Snare incorporates two parts – a stainless steel bracket that's permanently mounted on an outdoor surface such as a wall, and the main parcel-securing unit. The latter is key-locked onto the mount when the user is expecting a package.

Following delivery instructions that the user provided when they ordered the item, the courier just places the package within the unit's hanging loop of rubber-coated 7-strand stainless steel aircraft cable, then pulls that cable through the unit's body. Doing so cinches it tight around the package. That cable subsequently can't be loosened until the user unlocks the unit from the wall mount.

Snare should ultimately sell for $75
Dennis Evans

And yes, given a hefty enough set of bolt cutters, thieves could cut through the cable. They could also just cut the package itself open while it's still locked up, then pull out its contents. Again, though, the idea is to make it impossible for them to simply run up onto the porch, grab the package, and leave.

We have in fact seen more secure systems, although they've typically required couriers to be professionally trained in their use.

Should you be interested, the Snare Parcel Protection system is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign. A pledge of CAD$69 (about US$51) will get you a setup, when and if they reach production. The planned retail price is US$75.

Snare is demonstrated in the following video.

Source: Kickstarter

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Ben Coxworth
Based out of Edmonton, Canada, Ben Coxworth has been writing for New Atlas since 2009 and is presently Managing Editor for North America. An experienced freelance writer, he previously obtained an English BA from the University of Saskatchewan, then spent over 20 years working in various markets as a television reporter, producer and news videographer. Ben is particularly interested in scientific innovation, human-powered transportation, and the marine environment.
9 comments
sk8dad
Most Amazon couriers simply toss my packages towards the door. I hardly think they're going to stop and secure a package any time soon. Plus, what if I get a second package or a third. Also, this system will only work well for cardboard boxes. Bubble packs can still be yanked out in seconds I would imagine.
Bodger
Yeah, like every (or any?) delivery driver will take the time to use this device. I'm lucky if they hit my front porch when they throw a package.
FB36
So-called "porch pirates" are pretty much all because of companies like Amazon, are NOT giving buyers any option to choose package delivery company, IMHO!
For example, whenever I am not home, USPS worker leave a card for me to pickup my package from the local post office (which is never a problem for me)!
But if, UPS or Fedex brings a package then they leave it outside (for anyone to steal) or just keep coming again & again & leaving me notice after notice! (Until I take a day off from work just for them!)
I am pretty sure same problem is happening to probably millions of other people!
IMHO online shopping companies like Amazon really needs to allow customers to choose, which delivery company will bring the package (USPS or UPS or ...), to end ""porch pirating" problem!
Vincent Bevort
Surely this must be an American problem. Here in Sweden you just select the place the parcel shall be delivered to. If you want it sent home and you are not at home the parcel will end up in an office window/counter and they send you a letter with the location and code to pick it up. Or you just select that office close to you where you can pick it up after receiving a message that the parcel is available for collecting
michael_dowling
The other comments highlight the main problem with this new gadget. My experience with Amazon deliveries is that whoever the delivery company is,they drop or toss my order at the front door,and take off. Most don't even bother to ring the bell.No way will they stop to hook up a package to this thing.
BlueOak
Haha, yah, right. Most of our carriers don’t get workin 5 feet of the front porch. They toss the packages. They’d simply laugh if a sign asked them to “follow this procedure”.
alexD
Forget about it... with so many packages to deliver, why do you think the delivery person just toss the packages and go away ? They will never take the time to snag a package with this silly device. What would really work is a trapdoor where they drop the packages as usual and move on. And the closest to the street you could make such trapdoor, the better for you.... so a large steel box with that trapdoor is that I propose: it's clunky enough that no one will steal it unless they come with the forklift and a truck.. and the delivery person is still mostly free to quickly move on. Oh yeah, vandals... . . .
Worzel
I also dont think very much of this device. A better solution would be a steel cage, so that all the delivery person has to do is drop the package in, and close the lid, IF they can be bothered! The base of the cage could have a platform, or a sensor, that would arm/set the lock when a package was inserted, so that the lid will not lock until a package is placed into the cage. However, that still would not cope with multiple packages on the same day. So perhaps a double container would be needed, one to insert the package and close the lid, the base then drops the package into the lower compartment, and locks, while unlocking the top lid, ready for the next package. Whether any householder would consider the cost of such a system worthwhile, is another matter altogether.
Aross
Since most delivery companies will send you a replacement package, sometimes more than once, what is the point in stopping the thieves. It seems to me though that the problem is with LAZY drivers who have too many deliveries scheduled in a day. I actually stood and watched a driver hand my package to a person walking down my driveway without checking who it was. Fortunately for me it was my brother in law.
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