What is a vacation watch?
A vacation watch is when a county police officer does a check on your home specifically while you are out of town. You can request a vacation watch at no cost to you. While away from your residence, Deputies will patrol the area and keep a watchful eye on your home. You can fill out a Vacation Watch for your home Here.
What time do they come to the property?
Vacation watch patrols are randomized and happen several times a day. They do not stop by on a schedule as a routine is something that is predictable and can give intruders to the property a “window of opportunity” to come inside and retrieve valuable items.
What if I need to extend my vacation watch?
It can vary from precinct to precinct, but typically it’s as easy as going on the website and requesting the watch on your home for more days. Check the website of the precinct doing your vacation watches for their policy on extensions and cancellations.
Please leave detailed information about your home such as:
- Will you be leaving any lights on in the home?
- Do you have any pets staying in the home?
- Is there an alarm system and if so, will it be armed?
- Have you authorized anyone to come into your home?
- Are you leaving any vehicles at your home?
- Is there a secondary contact we can reach out to in case we are unable to reach you?
Tips for the home while you’re away:
- Inform the alarm company of your departure and make Harris County Sherrif’s Office is the first contact while you are away from home, as this will save valuable time in getting law enforcement to your residence.
- Have lights on timers. Having lights on or off around the clock is a sign no one is home.
- Leave a parked car in the driveway with no valuables inside.
- Make arrangements for your pets whether it be someone coming to your home to walk and feed them, a boarding facility, or having them stay with a trusted family member or friend. Make sure your pet’s information such as ID tags and collars, microchips are up to date and give a list of emergency contact information about your pet such as preferred veterinarian, updated shot records, and other medical information with the authorized person(s) watching your pet.
- Finding a trusted person to house sit is one of the best ways to avoid your home looking empty.
- Find an emergency contact that can be called in case you cannot be reached.
- Pause mail and have it held at the post office for the time you will be away from your home.
For additional questions, you may reach out to Harris County Sherrif’s Office Main Office at (346) 286-1600
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