Police warn against ‘porch pirates’ during holiday shopping season

WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. – With the holidays approaching many people are shopping online and having items shipped to their doorstep.

But police warn that leaving packages on your porch can put your purchases at risk of getting stolen.

There are several tips authorities offer to help you deter potential thieves, like trying to schedule deliveries when you know you’ll be home and staying in contact with your neighbors.

But there’s one thing that they say is most important: “Lighting is the number one deterrent to criminal activity. If somebody drives by in the evening, particularly, and they see a dark home that is a target for theft off the property or burglary into the home,” said Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli

Police also say that it always helps to have some sort of security system or motion-activated lights.