Lately, there's a concerning trend that's been occurring quite frequently, and it's crucial to be aware of it.

It's the phenomenon of the "porch pirates." Have you come across this before?

In case you haven't, it's a term coined for people engaged in the act of swiping packages right from your doorstep. They can strike at any time in any neighborhood, and now that the holidays are right around the corner, they are watching.

What's even more interesting is that many people are using their security cameras to capture snapshots of the culprits, then sharing those images within Facebook city groups in an effort to nab these pirates.

It's like a modern-day neighborhood watch! However, the amount of times I am seeing these images don't seem to be slowing down.

A Maine woman who is a member of the Lewiston Rocks Facebook posted an image of someone stealing a package from her porch saying, "Porch pirate alert. Hope he enjoys the craft kit."

Yes, I laughed too, but it's still terrible, and I warn you all to watch out! If you know you are going to be receiving a package, be careful to check the time so you are available. If not, arm your security or ring camera.

If you can't be there at the time of delivery or have security, you could get a "porch pirate bag."

According to ADT, there is this porch bag you can buy. They are big and made out of strong material. You can add a special addition to your delivery driver and tell them to put the package inside of the bag and lock it to something sturdy on your porch with a combination lock.

Obviously it's not fool-proof, but it's helpful. Visit Prevent Package Theft to check out these bags. 

Right now, package crime is happening, and I hope these tips will help deter criminal behavior and porch pirates from visiting your home.

Viral Maine TikTok-er Scammed Out of Thousands of Dollars

A Maine TikTok-er went viral. A wood crafter was scammed out of thousands of dollars after using a payment platform that he alleges had refused to help him.

25 of South Portland, Maine's Best Restaurants

Here's a list of many of South Portland, Maine's best restaurants, cafes, and pizza joints. There's a lot of great food across the bridge from Portland.

Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka