As the holiday season rolls on, packages of Christmas gifts will be flooding onto porches across the community.

As they do, Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers is offering a message of caution thanks to an increase in petty crimes. On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, Chief Lowers told Regional Radio, oftentimes those packages are an advertisement that something valuable is about to go into that home.

Chief Lowers believes with the busy lives we live, it can be difficult to promptly get packages off the porch before there is the opportunity to have them swiped. He says like preying on an unlocked vehicle, oftentimes porch pirates take advantage of the opportunity. 

As those packages get wrapped, unwrapped, and then discarded, Chief Lower encourages making sure boxes are broken down enough there isn't a big advertisement in your trash receptacles during the holidays.

Next week on Regional Radio, as we get closer to having to hit the road for the holidays, the Chief will remind listeners and readers of the home watch program through the Clinton Police Department as well as travel safety reminders.