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Snare was a 2020 Kickstarter-era package-security concept designed to make porch theft slower and harder—not to make a parcel impossible to steal. Its wall-mounted bracket and locking, rubber-coated steel cable could restrain a delivery box, but the system depended on courier cooperation, suitable installation, and a package that could be cinched securely. The available evidence does not verify that Snare reached mass production or remains available today.
What was the Snare system?
The Snare Parcel Protection system was presented by New Atlas on July 24, 2020. Developed by Canadian entrepreneur and former machinist Dennis Evans, it consisted of two main parts:
- a stainless-steel bracket permanently mounted to an exterior surface; and
- a detachable, key-locked parcel-securing unit.
Rather than enclosing a package inside a box or locker, Snare was intended to hold the delivery in place. That distinction matters: it was a physical deterrent and delay mechanism, not a safe, alarm, trap, or device intended to capture or injure a person.
How Snare was supposed to work
The delivery process described in the 2020 coverage was:
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- The Ultimate Smart Anti Theft Package Delivery Box: With package theft on the rise, hyve keeps your deliveries secure, whether you’re home or away, protecting your orders from loss, theft, and replacement delays. Its smart auto-lock instantly secures packages, while the included universal tether anchors to doors, gates, or fence posts so your hyve cannot be stolen. A motion-detecting chip triggers real-time app alerts and a loud siren if tampering is detected. It also notifies neighbors of theft attempts with its community app feature.
- Say Goodbye to Weather-Damaged Packages: hyve is built to handle the elements with a smart, weather-resistant design that keeps your deliveries safe and dry. Its lock and electronics are fully weather-rated, giving you peace of mind and ensuring secure deliveries rain or shine.
- Fits Seamlessly into Your Life: hyve is designed to fit seamlessly into busy lives, safeguarding every delivery until you’re ready to bring it inside. It provides at-home convenience without the risk. Drivers use unique 4-digit PINs for deliveries and returns, and users are notified instantly—turning your doorstep into a secure, convenient part of your home without disrupting your day. You can also create user PINs to share with family and friends, giving access only to the people you trust.
- The homeowner mounts the bracket outside the property.
- The lockable Snare unit is attached to the bracket before delivery.
- The homeowner gives the courier instructions for using it.
- The courier places the parcel inside a hanging loop made from rubber-coated, seven-strand stainless-steel aircraft cable.
- The courier pulls the cable through the body of the unit.
- The cable tightens around the parcel.
- The cable remains locked until the owner unlocks the unit from its wall mount.
The source does not document an official procedure with USPS, UPS, FedEx, Amazon, or any other carrier. Snare’s operation therefore depended on an individual delivery worker recognizing the device and completing the extra step.
Why it might deter a porch pirate
A typical grab-and-run theft succeeds because the parcel is exposed and can be removed within seconds. Snare’s theory was to change that calculation. A thief would have to manipulate the restraint, damage the package, cut the cable, or attack the mounting hardware instead of simply picking up the box.
That added time, noise, effort, and visibility could make an opportunistic thief choose an easier target. But there is no evidence in the available coverage of a measured theft-reduction rate, independent attack testing, carrier trials, or long-term field data. The most accurate description is therefore “intended to deter quick removal,” not “prevents porch piracy.”
How a thief could still defeat it
The cable could be cut
The 2020 article specifically acknowledged that heavy-duty bolt cutters could defeat the cable. It did not provide the cable’s diameter, breaking strength, certification, or a tested resistance time.
The box could be opened in place
Snare restrained the parcel but did not conceal or fully enclose it. Someone could potentially cut into the cardboard and remove the contents without carrying the entire package away.
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- Delivery storage; delivery box; Package Theft; Security for packages; Customer must bolt down or use weights
The mounting surface could be the weak point
A cable is only as secure as the bracket and the surface holding it. Weak siding, deteriorated wood, thin trim, or poorly selected fasteners could make the installation vulnerable to prying or hardware extraction. The available source does not document the bracket’s resistance to those attacks, so its real-world strength cannot be assumed.
Some packages may not fit the concept well
The coverage does not establish Snare’s maximum package size, weight limit, or operating envelope. Unresolved questions include whether it could reliably secure flat envelopes, soft mailers, very small parcels, oversized boxes, fragile goods, or multiple packages. A small item might slide through a loop, while a flexible or delicate package might not tolerate tight cinching.
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The biggest problem was delivery-driver cooperation
Snare’s mechanical procedure appears simple in principle, but it added work to an already time-sensitive delivery. A driver unfamiliar with the system might leave the package beside it, place the parcel without tightening the cable, or decide that the device is inconvenient to use.
Reader comments on the New Atlas article raised similar concerns, including the possibility that delivery workers might ignore instructions or leave packages nearby. Those comments are anecdotal, not evidence of industry-wide behavior. Still, they identify the system’s central practical weakness: if the courier does not use Snare, the hardware provides no protection for that delivery.
No available evidence confirms carrier training, contractual support, standardized labeling, or widespread adoption. Conceptual usability and operational reliability are not the same thing.
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- Your Personal Package Assistant: Meet hyve, an outdoor package delivery box engineered for secure deliveries and effortless returns. This next-level package delivery box prevents theft, simplifies at-home return pickups, supports zero-waste deliveries, and protects packages from weather and the elements. Works with all delivery carriers, is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled to notify you when deliveries are made and returns are picked up, battery and solar powered, and fits 80% of all packages
- Effortless Returns from Your Doorstep: With hyve, returning packages is effortless: just schedule a pickup, pair your hyve Smart Returns Label with your tracking ID, and drop it in your hyve package box. Because hyve is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, you are notified when the return is picked up in your hyve app
- Smart Anti Theft Package Delivery Box: With package theft on the rise, hyve keeps your deliveries secure, whether you're home or away, protecting your orders from loss, theft, and replacement delays. Its smart auto-lock instantly secures packages, while the included universal tether anchors to doors, gates, or fence posts so your hyve cannot be stolen. A motion-detecting chip triggers real-time app alerts and a loud siren if tampering is detected. It also notifies neighbors of theft attempts with its community app feature
- Weather-Resistant Design: hyve is built to handle the elements with a smart, weather-resistant design that keeps your deliveries safe and dry. Its lock and electronics are fully weather-rated, giving you peace of mind and ensuring secure deliveries rain or shine
- Seamless Integration into Your Daily Routine: hyve is designed to fit seamlessly into busy lives, safeguarding every delivery until you're ready to bring it inside. It provides at-home convenience without the risk. Drivers use unique 4-digit PINs for deliveries and returns, and users are notified instantly-turning your doorstep into a secure, convenient part of your home without disrupting your day. You can also create user PINs to share with family and friends, giving access only to the people you trust
What about multiple deliveries?
The original coverage does not explain how Snare would handle common multi-package situations. It is unknown whether:
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- more than one parcel could be secured at once;
- a second courier could add a package while the first remained locked;
- the unit had to be unlocked between deliveries;
- packages could be stacked or bundled;
- deliveries arriving at different times could be handled conveniently; or
- a new parcel could be added without disturbing an earlier one.
Those are not minor details for a household receiving frequent deliveries. They would help determine whether Snare was a practical daily system or mainly a solution for occasional, standard-sized boxes.
Was Snare ever sold?
In July 2020, Snare was being promoted through a Kickstarter campaign. The New Atlas report listed a historical pledge level of CAD$69, approximately US$51 at the time, and a planned retail price of US$75. Those figures were campaign-era projections, not current prices.
The article used conditional language about delivery if the campaign reached production. The available evidence does not verify that Snare was mass-produced, that backers received units, that the company remains active, or that a current listing, warranty, replacement-parts program, or customer-support channel is legitimate. The campaign link cited in the article is available here, but its current status and fulfillment history are not established by the supplied evidence.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who might have benefited from Snare?
As a concept, Snare could have suited a homeowner with a predictable delivery location, standard cardboard parcels, a strong mounting surface, and delivery workers who consistently followed instructions. It offered a lower-friction alternative to installing a full parcel locker and did not require batteries, cameras, or an internet connection.
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- 2-in-1 Storage & Package Delivery Box: This patio storage box can be used to store pillows, blankets, gardening tools, and pool supplies, while also serving as a front porch package delivery solution. The clear “PARCELS” label ensures easy recognition for couriers, making it simple to identify and drop off packages directly inside. The delivery boxes for outside helps keep deliveries secure while maintaining a clean and organized outdoor space.
- Secure Locking Design: This delivery boxes for outside option also works as an outside storage box with added security. When the top lid is opened, an internal sloped baffle rises to separate the delivery area from the lower storage compartment, helping prevent unauthorized access to packages. Once closed, parcels safely slide into the secure bottom storage area, while the lockable lower compartment provides extra protection.
- Waterproof & UV-Resistant Design: Featuring a dual-layer waterproof and UV-resistant construction, this small tool box withstands harsh sun, rain, and snow while keeping the interior dry and well-ventilated. It effectively blocks external moisture to protect packages, mail, and valuables from damp damage. The deck storage box with a woodgrain finish adds a natural, elegant look that blends seamlessly into patios, decks, and balconies, keeping your outdoor space stylish
- Easy Installation & Low Maintenance: Designed with a simple structure and complete accessories, this outdoor storage box waterproof allows for quick and hassle-free assembly. The smooth surface makes it easy to wipe clean, ensuring effortless daily maintenance. Compact yet practical, this small deck box is ideal for convenient outdoor organization with minimal upkeep
- Large Capacity & Multi-Scene Use: Featuring a spacious interior, this garden box easily accommodates packages of various sizes as well as outdoor essentials such as tools and seasonal items, helping keep your space organized and clutter-free. Suitable for doorsteps, balconies, patios, and garages, it adapts seamlessly to different home environments while maintaining a neat and tidy appearance
It would have been less compelling for renters who could not permanently mount hardware, households receiving many packages, properties with unreliable drop-off locations, or anyone needing concealment and tamper protection.
When another approach makes more sense
| Option | Best suited to | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Locking parcel box | Frequent deliveries and households wanting packages enclosed | Requires space, installation, and courier access |
| Carrier locker or pickup location | High-value packages, apartments, or unattended deliveries | Requires a trip or compatible delivery option |
| Signature-required delivery | Expensive or sensitive items | Someone must be available to receive the parcel |
| Secure indoor, garage, or neighbor drop-off | Homes with a suitable access arrangement | Depends on property layout or another person’s availability |
| Camera or doorbell system | Alerts, evidence, and visible deterrence | Usually documents theft rather than physically stopping it |
The strongest protection generally comes from keeping the package off the porch entirely. A restraint such as Snare may slow removal, but a locked enclosure, staffed pickup point, or controlled indoor drop-off addresses more of the problem by reducing access to the parcel.
What a buyer would need to verify
If a current Snare listing appears, prospective buyers should verify more than the product photographs and historical price claims. Important questions include:
- Is there a functioning manufacturer or authorized retailer?
- Was the Kickstarter fulfilled?
- What are the maximum parcel dimensions and weight?
- What are the cable diameter and tested breaking strength?
- How is the bracket installed on wood, brick, concrete, siding, or a railing?
- Is the hardware weather-resistant?
- Can it secure soft mailers or multiple parcels?
- Can a courier operate it without a key?
- What happens when a driver ignores the instructions?
- Are warranty service, replacement hardware, returns, and customer support available?
None of these specifications or support commitments is established by the 2020 coverage.
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