Just Google Porch Pirates...More Info Than You Can Handle!

PELHAM, Ala. (WIAT) -- It's prime time for package deliveries to homes for the holidays and police want to remind you to be careful of thieves stealing those packages off your porch. 

Pelham police are warning people expecting packages to be on the lookout for so-called porch pirates. 

Thieves know most people aren't home during the day when packages are delivered and police say those packages are an open invitation to criminals. 

Captain Pat Cheatwood tells CBS 42 having an extra set of eyes on your home while you're away can help deter criminals. 

"Keep some sort of surveillance whether human or camera surveillance on your house while you're away is probably the best deterrent and even if it does happen you've got video footage of something to follow up on," said Cheatwood.

Cheatwood also suggests requesting deliveries to a back door or even your garage, signing up for text updates and scheduling deliveries for when you're home, if possible.