How to Request Vacation Watch with Local Law Enforcement During Spring Break
Are you leaving town for Spring Break? Request Vacation Watch with your local law enforcement!
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office offers an added sense of security when you go on vacation or go out of town. With the Vacation Watch program you can leave your residence knowing that law enforcement will be looking after it for you. While you are out of town the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Patrol Division will check on your residence*. Patrol Officers will check to assure your residence is secure and that it has not been burglarized. If anything out of the ordinary is found during these checks the emergency contact for the location of the residence will be contacted.
REQUIREMENTS
- Vacation Watches must be a minimum of two (2) consecutive days with a maximum of twenty-one (21) consecutive days, during which the residence must be completely unoccupied during the requested timeframe. Any breaks in time, for example, where the homeowner will be returning for a weekend then leave again, will constitute separate “vacations” and must be submitted as two (2) separate requests.
- Any citizen requesting a vacation watch on their residence/business for a period longer than 21-days will be advised by Communications employees the MCSO will not check vacation watches for more than 21-days. Vacation watches will be approved for no more than three (3) non-consecutive 21-day periods in a calendar year without the approval of the area lieutenant.
- The residence must be regularly occupied. Vacation watches will not be approved for vacant houses that have been left by the homeowner for extended periods of time or houses that are for sale and have been vacated by the homeowner.
If you wish to request a vacation watch and meet the requirements, please fill out the form (link below) completely then submit. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to extend the vacation watch. You will receive confirmation once your request has been received.
*Vacation Watch will be completed by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Patrol Division. The frequency of these checks will be dependent upon the call loads in the Patrol District in which you reside. Active calls for service will take precedence.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- Have a neighbor or someone you know pick up your newspaper or have your subscription halted while you are gone.
- Have a neighbor or someone you know to check for sales flyers left at your door. Have these removed.
- Have your mail held at the post office.
- Use automatic timers for your lights, T.V., or radio. This will give the illusion that someone is home.
- Ask neighbors to park in your driveway when you are gone. Again, this will give the illusion that someone is home.
One of the most important things you can do to prevent criminal activity from happening at your residence while you are away is to talk with the neighbors that you trust. Tell them when you are leaving and when you will be back. Ask if they will watch your residence while you are gone. When communities team up and look out for each other this shows a strength that criminals dislike. Let's team up and work together to help keep an eye out for each other.
Click on Submit Vacation Watch Form to complete online or call 936-760-5800 and select option 3 to speak to dispatch.
Source: MCSO
