Porch pirates are gearing up for their busiest season, eyeing the bounty of deliveries bound for the city's stoops and doorsteps. With consumers flooding online shopping carts for holiday gifts, Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler has issued a warning: these modern-day marauders are on the prowl for unattended parcels, often filled with pricey goods.

So thieves are unable to dampen your holiday spirit, Sheriff Cutler has shared a sleigh-full of tips to keep your packages safe. In a move to make sure your holiday deliveries remain secure, the Sheriff recommends tracking your packages vigilantly with the services provided by couriers such as Amazon, FedEx, and UPS. These companies turn Santa’s little helpers, providing real-time updates for when your goodies are set to slide down the chimney—or, more accurately, land on your porch, according to a post from the Hays County Sheriff's Office.