Heading Out of Town This Summer? Sign Up for a Free Vacation Watch from Harris County Constable Precinct 5
With summer vacation season around the corner, many families in Harris County are preparing to pack up and head out—whether it’s a road trip across Texas, a flight to a coastal beach, or a visit to loved ones. But before locking the front door and setting off, residents living in a Harris County Constable Precinct 5 Contracted Patrol Area have a smart, free tool to protect their property while they’re away: theHarris County Constable Precinct 5 Vacation Watch program.
This easy-to-use service offers local residents peace of mind by placing their homes on a dedicated watch list. During their routine patrols, deputies from Constable Terry Allbritton’s office will keep an extra eye on homes that have requested Vacation Watch—checking for signs of suspicious activity and ensuring nothing seems out of place.
How the Vacation Watch Program Works
If you're going to be away for more than a day, and you live in a neighborhood that contracts with Precinct 5, you’re eligible to submit a Vacation Watch request. Simply notify the constable’s office that you'll be out of town, and deputies will include your address in their patrol plan.
There are two simple ways to sign up:
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Submit Online: Use the online Vacation Watch form for the fastest service.
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Call Dispatch: Prefer speaking to someone directly? Call the Precinct 5 Dispatch Office at 281-463-6666, and an officer can even come by your home to take the request in person.
Not sure if you're within a Contracted Patrol Area? Just call Dispatch and they’ll help you find out.
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Additional Tips to Keep Your Home Secure
Alongside the Vacation Watch, Harris County Constable Precinct 5 offers a few more safety tips to safeguard your home during your summer travels:
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Update Your Alarm Contact Info: Let your alarm company know that Precinct 5 should be listed as your primary contact.
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Use Light Timers: Keep your house looking lived-in with light timers. Avoid leaving exterior lights on all day—this can be a signal to burglars.
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Manage Vehicle Visibility: Don’t leave valuables in parked cars. Consider asking a neighbor to park in your driveway.
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Pet Safety: Make sure pets are cared for and have up-to-date ID tags.
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House-Sitting Help: A trusted friend or family member can help keep things running smoothly—and make your home appear occupied.
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Provide an Emergency Contact: Always leave local contact info with someone you trust, in case something needs immediate attention.
When to Submit Your Request
To allow enough time for processing, submit your Vacation Watch request at least three days before your departure. If you're on a tighter schedule, go ahead and submit it online, then call Dispatch at 281-463-6666 to speed things along.
And if you don’t live within Precinct 5, or perhaps your neighborhood has contracted patrol through the Harris County Sheriff's Office? No problem—you can still request a Vacation Watch through the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
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Travel Smart and Rest Easy
Whether you're off for a weekend or a two-week adventure, taking a few extra precautions can make all the difference in securing your home. With Harris County Constable Precinct 5’s Vacation Watch, you can hit the road with one less worry.
For more details about the program, visit Constable Terry Allbritton's Precinct 5 website, and don’t hesitate to call dispatch with any questions. Safe travels and happy summer from your friends at My Neighborhood News!
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
