Nashville, TN — Amid a rising trend of porch piracy, one good Samaritan is bringing a glimmer of holiday cheer to a local neighborhood by returning a stolen Christmas gift.
According to Forbes, Tennessee ranks as the eleventh worst state for porch pirates, with Capital One Shopping reporting that Americans lost over $13 billion to package theft last year. Despite the growing issue, one neighbor’s act of kindness has restored faith in community spirit.
Janet Carr, a resident of East Nashville, recently discovered that a package containing a family member’s Christmas gift had been stolen from her porch. The package, which contained a pair of Italian running shoes, had been ordered in time for the holidays. However, after several days without its arrival, Carr grew concerned.
“We were expecting the shoes, but we thought they were delayed because of the holidays,” Carr recalled. “It appeared a package had been stolen off our porch.”
While Carr and her family were left wondering what happened to the package, a neighbor, walking their dogs just half a mile away, noticed the discarded box on the side of the road. It appeared that the package had been opened and its contents rejected. Despite the box being damaged, the shoes were still inside.
The thoughtful neighbor took the time to investigate the situation further. They left a note on the box, which Carr later discovered. The note read, “My husband found these boxes with shoes while walking our dogs on 9th. Clearly, someone went through the package but didn’t like what they found. Sorry this happened. Best, your neighbor.”
Though Carr does not know the identity of the neighbor, she expressed her deep gratitude for the kind gesture, especially during such a busy and often stressful time of year.
“I’m really grateful that they took the time to investigate, write a note, and bring it back to us,” Carr said. “It’s a message for all of us to look out for each other, not just at Christmas but all the time.”
The holiday season can be filled with distractions and stress, and Carr acknowledged that her neighbor could have easily ignored the situation. Instead, they chose to go out of their way to return the stolen package, a small act of kindness that made a big impact.
Carr’s message for porch pirates is clear: “It may feel like a victimless crime, but it’s really not. It’s a lot of disappointment for people and also makes them feel potentially unsafe in their own neighborhood.”
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of community and the power of individuals to make a positive difference, even in the face of a growing issue like package theft. As for Carr, she is thankful for the unexpected holiday gift—a returned package, a neighbor’s kindness, and a reminder of the good still present in her community.