SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — It’s the Christmas season and opportunistic thieves may be trolling your neighborhood. Package deliveries increase substantially at this time of year, and so do thefts. Thieves follow delivery trucks, or just cruise neighborhoods looking to steal packages that have been delivered to your door.

South Hutchinson Police have a few suggestions to follow that will help deter your gifts from being stolen!

1. Require a signature on all deliveries when possible.

2. Have the package delivered to your place of work, a neighbor, friend, or family member that will be home at the time of delivery.

3. Give the shipping company instructions where to leave packages in a secure location out of sight of the roadway.

4. Sign up for email or text notifications that will let you know when the package has been delivered.

5. Monitor the tracking number to keep track of your delivery.

6. Arrange to pick up the package at the UPS, Fedex, or USPS office.

7. Be sure to insure packages, especially if they are of high value.

8. Request a vacation hold if you are going to be out of town for a few days.

9. Report any suspicious activity in your area to the police.

10. If you become a victim of a theft, be sure to file a police report.