Vacation House Watch a police service that keeps giving during the holiday season
CONCORD, CLAYTON and PLEASANT HILL, CA (Nov. 21, 2024) — Who knows if the familiar festive line “Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go” will again be uttered this holiday season by travelers. But one thing is certain, those humble abodes being left behind will be mostly dark and quiet.
However, homeowners can rest a little easier with the help of free Vacation Watch programs that are offered by area police departments year round.
Homeowners can call their local police department or find a form online at the respective agency’s website to request the service. That form in turn can be submitted via email, mailed or dropped off to the department.
All local departments required that these requests be submitted at least 48 hours to prior the homeowner’s departure and the service cannot be requested for longer than 60 days.
Trained volunteers or a unit on patrol perform inspections of properties at least once per week while the resident is away. They pay close attention to details provided on the Vacation House Check request application. This may include a perimeter check, physical and/or visual check of all doors and windows, and verification of vehicles left on the property.
This service is provided on an as-available basis. It is not for vacant homes, residences for sale or long-term absences.
Safety tips
Departments also remind homeowners of the following tips to further help deter unwanted visitors before leaving on trips during the holiday season:
- Lock all doors and windows. Use dowel rods to secure sliding doors and windows.
- Consider leaving an internal light and external lights on to deter criminals. If possible, use timers to schedule them to come on.
- Pull in all trash containers from the curb.
- Limit/stop package deliveries that may be placed at your front door.
For more information and the Vacation House Check Request forms, visit these websites for the Pleasant Hill, Concord and Clayton Police Departments.
David Scholz
David Scholz is back in journalism as a freelance writer and photographer after nearly two decades in education. Prior to moving into teaching in 2000, he worked as a full-time journalist since 1988 for rural community and small daily newspapers in Central Ohio and Northern Nevada, and later in California with The Business Journal in Fresno and dailies in the Bay Area, including The Oakland Tribune and The San Francisco Chronicle. More recently Scholz also worked in an editing, writing, and page layout role with the Rossmoor News.