Norman Police Offer Tips To Prevent Thefts During Holiday Season

The most wonderful time of the year means more grinches out there trying to steal Christmas from your front porch.

Already, Norman Police have received complaints about packages being stolen from homes. They say these are crimes of opportunity, and some simple steps can keep residents from becoming victims.

"It's as fast as it takes you to walk from the street up the driveway, pick it up and walk away," explained Capt. Tom Easley with the Norman Police Department.

Easley said if you are expecting a package, you should request a signature confirmation, insure valuable items, have companies deliver packages to your work if possible or have them leave packages on side or in back of your house.

Many shipping companies also offer ways to track deliveries online and receive notifications, so you know exactly when a package is delivers. That way you can get it inside quickly.

Another tip, get to know your neighbors.

"Talk to them and say, 'Hey I've got packages coming in, would you help me out and watch for them, maybe pick them up for me,'" Easley said.

Because these thefts happen so quickly, Captain Easley said it is extremely difficult to solve them, "Unless we have video, good video or an eye witness, we're out of luck."

Bottom line here, police say neighbors need to look out for each other and call 911 if you notice anything out of the ordinary in your neighborhood.