Montreal police asking people not to post photos of porch pirates online

Montreal residents face a surge in porch thefts, with victims debating whether to report incidents online or to police.

Across Montreal’s residential neighbourhoods, deliveries are disappearing off doorsteps.

Porch pirates bolt on to private properties, running off with online orders — and it’s often caught on doorbell cameras.

“I’ve actually had two get stolen. One of them was a very expensive pair of shoes,” says Stephanie Wadden who lives in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighbourhood.

Victims are quick to post on Facebook community groups and other social media platforms.

“I posted just so, you know, other people in the area could be aware that things are being stolen,” Wadden added.

But Montreal police are asking people not to do that.

Instead, they say to go to them, arguing posting could jeopardize a case if it goes to court.

“What we strongly recommend is to give us the evidence and let things take its course,” says Francois Sauvé who heads the SVPM’s communications department.

Police add that as frustrating as it might be, even potential perpetrators have a right to privacy until proven guilty.

But one woman CTV News talked to said she gave police the evidence, but so far, they haven’t been helpful.

In mid-December, a ceramic dog was stolen off her porch.

“They have his license plate. They have him on camera taking the dog, putting it in his car,” says Ania Szpakowski, adding, “ I still don’t have it back.”

Posting was her way of taking matters into her own hands, and at least one criminal lawyer doesn’t see a problem with it.

“You are not really impairing their right to a fair trial if they’re ever arrested or charged,” says Eric Sutton.

The victims we spoke with say they just want their stuff back, but they’re not hopeful.

They say if it happens again, they’ll go back online, before going to police.