The RCMP Is Giving A Crash Course On Protecting Your Holiday Packages From 'Porch Pirates'

The RCMP is giving Canadians a crash course on how they can protect their holiday gifts from being snagged by what they call "porch pirates."

In a news release from December 11, Nova Scotia division of the police force said that they want residents to be more careful because they believe people, aka the porch pirates, are out to take advantage of deliveries that are left unattended this season. 

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By planning ahead, you can protect those important presents you bought with your hard-earned money. RCMP

The good news is the RCMP has some steps Canadians can take to ensure their property stays on their property.

"The best way to prevent theft is to make your stuff difficult to steal," Const. Michael Alford of the Nova Scotia RCMP said. "In the busyness of the holiday season, it's easy to get caught up in online shopping and think less about what will happen when the packages arrive."

Police said the first step is to try and pick the best option for delivery. This means deciding if your home is the best place to have a package sent to.

In other words, check to see if you would be home during the delivery time and if not, opt for shipping your shopping to your workplace or a friend or a relative's home.

Another piece of advice is to always request a signature confirmation, which means that someone from your home will have to sign to receive the package and it won't be left on your doorstep alone. 

Other tips include asking the delivery person to leave your things in a hidden place like at the side door or back door.

Additionally, police ask that you invest in a parcel dropbox or a security camera if nothing else works.

In one recent case, an Ontario woman filled an empty package with poop and left it unattended on her porch to send a message.