BRYANT, Ark. — While we're all getting ready for Turkey Day, some have been looking ahead to Christmas and spending this week shopping for holiday deals,
However, as your packages arrive, you should keep in mind that you could be a target.
"It's crazy that people think that it's okay to take somebody else's stuff," Tamika Keener said.
Keener said she knows the struggle firsthand because she's had packages stolen from her doorstep.
"Surprisingly, it's been a neighbor before," Keener added.
Now, she sends her packages elsewhere to prevent it from happening again.
"I just started sending my stuff to a locker, a hub. There are several around, so I'm like, you know, you got to have a QR code, scan your barcode, get your stuff, and I liked that better. And it makes me confident in ordering again," she explained.
That's actually what police recommend you do to avoid falling victim to porch pirates.
"They will drive neighborhoods and they will a lot of times, they will actually follow even delivery drivers and steal the packages. So you know, it's a horrible thing. It's a sad thing, but it is what it is, that it does happen," Sgt. Todd Crowson with Bryant Police said.
Sergeant Crowson said these kinds of crimes typically pick up this time of year.
"Last year, we probably had about a dozen or so. So it's just it just really depends," he said.
In addition to sending your items to a hub, Sergeant Crowson recommends requiring a signature when packages are delivered or asking trusted neighbors to hold on to them for you if you aren't home when they arrive.
Front porch video cameras can also be a big help.
"They do help us you know. You can see who's doing it, you can post their pictures, you know, on the media and everything. So yeah, I would suggest if you can get one of those [they] are a good item to have," he added.
Although he said he hasn't heard of any of these incidents recently, he's expecting to soon and said that you should too.
"Be aware of what's going on and try to have a game plan for your packages when they're when they're coming in," he said.
"The reality is we're not living in a safe environment anymore," Keener said.
Sgt. Crowson also suggests putting a lockbox outside your front door, that way only you and the delivery driver have access.