Deputies issued a warning that porch thieves are targeting homes at a faster rate than last year.
According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, last year they investigated 39 reports of stolen packages. 22 of those cases happened in December.
It isn't even the holiday shopping season and so far this year deputies have received reports of 33 cases. Deputies said people need to watch out for porch pirates.
"You would think now at the rate that it's going, it's going to surpass last year," Betty Leonard said.
Leonard lives in Davenport. Deputies said her neighbors home was targeted over the summer and her cameras spotted a thief leaving with a package. Leonard said she does her part to try to protect herself.
"If it's going to come on a day I know I'm not going to be around, I have it sent to my job," Leonard said.
Jeremy Daley said he shops online all the time.
"I'd say at least 2 or 3 packages a week," Daley said.
He said he tries to remove the package from his front porch immediately.
"Just make sure that the company that's delivering it for you is very specific and you make sure that they put it in a very safe location," Daley said.
Deputies want people to follow a few tips so they are not victims of thieves.
Those tips include tracking your package, alerting your neighbor if you plan to have a package delivered to your home, asking to sign for a package before it's delivered, put packages on hold, make sure you have insurance, and contact authorities if your merchandise is stolen from your home.
