Porch pirates can be real Grinches, stealing your presents before they make it under your tree. But there are ways you can make sure everything arrives safely.Colchester police get an increase in calls this time of year for thefts."Keep an eye on your neighbors. If you see somebody around your property that looks suspicious or is not normally in that area, or somebody on your neighbor's property or your property, call the police," said Colchester police Sgt. Jeremy Wyskiel. "Get as much detail as you can, as far as what the person may be wearing and a description of them and the vehicle or if they're on a bike."There are things you can do to prevent someone from taking your gifts. Make sure you track your package and, if you can, try to schedule the delivery for when someone is home so packages aren't lingering outside.If you can't be home, it's a good idea to tell the delivery driver to leave it in a more secluded spot, like a back door and let a neighbor know you're expecting an order.You can also leave a storage bin for packages that gets secured with a lock box.Cameras like Ring doorbells can be helpful if you are the victim of a porch pirate. "Surveillance cameras can very much assist an investigation," Wyskiel said. "If something is stolen, it can give us the details on who's all involved, or what they're using to get to and from, and to actually see the act occur." Shopping locally and in person can ensure your packages make it home safely.According to the Small Business Administration, 68 cents of every dollar spent locally stays in the community."We're really looking to remind people that when they spend a dollar in Burlington or in Vermont, that dollar circulates as compared to spending it with Amazon or one of the big box stores, that leaves the state and doesn't circulate around," said Myti founder Bill Calfee. If you'd rather stay in to do your holiday shopping, Myti lets customers schedule their deliveries."We have two different services, a three-day and a next-day," Calfee said. "It depends on the customer and what the shop offers and what the customer chooses."If you do find a package has been swiped, call the police, report it to the delivery service and the shop you ordered from and contact your credit card company. Your homeowner's or renter's insurance may cover stolen packages.

Porch pirates can be real Grinches, stealing your presents before they make it under your tree. But there are ways you can make sure everything arrives safely.

Colchester police get an increase in calls this time of year for thefts.

"Keep an eye on your neighbors. If you see somebody around your property that looks suspicious or is not normally in that area, or somebody on your neighbor's property or your property, call the police," said Colchester police Sgt. Jeremy Wyskiel. "Get as much detail as you can, as far as what the person may be wearing and a description of them and the vehicle or if they're on a bike."

There are things you can do to prevent someone from taking your gifts.

* Make sure you track your package and, if you can, try to schedule the delivery for when someone is home so packages aren't lingering outside.

* If you can't be home, it's a good idea to tell the delivery driver to leave it in a more secluded spot, like a back door and let a neighbor know you're expecting an order.

* You can also leave a storage bin for packages that gets secured with a lock box.

* Cameras like Ring doorbells can be helpful if you are the victim of a porch pirate.

"Surveillance cameras can very much assist an investigation," Wyskiel said. "If something is stolen, it can give us the details on who's all involved, or what they're using to get to and from, and to actually see the act occur."

Shopping locally and in person can ensure your packages make it home safely.

According to the Small Business Administration, 68 cents of every dollar spent locally stays in the community.

"We're really looking to remind people that when they spend a dollar in Burlington or in Vermont, that dollar circulates as compared to spending it with Amazon or one of the big box stores, that leaves the state and doesn't circulate around," said Myti founder Bill Calfee.

If you'd rather stay in to do your holiday shopping, Myti lets customers schedule their deliveries.

"We have two different services, a three-day and a next-day," Calfee said. "It depends on the customer and what the shop offers and what the customer chooses."

If you do find a package has been swiped, call the police, report it to the delivery service and the shop you ordered from and contact your credit card company. Your homeowner's or renter's insurance may cover stolen packages.