Requesting Vacation Watch for Your Home During Spring Break
Residents who live within a Precinct 5 Contracted Patrol Area, including Westlake Forest, may submit a Vacation Watch Request whenever they will be away from their home for more than a day. A Vacation Watch lets the deputies who patrol your area know to keep an extra eye on things while you are away.
The quickest way to submit the request is to fill out the online form. If you prefer, you may contact the dispatch office and have a deputy come to your residence to take the request.
If you are unsure whether you live inside a Precinct 5 Contracted Patrol Area, contact the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable's Office dispatch and they will be able to help you. 24 Hour Dispatch can be reached at 281-463-6666.
ALARMS: Precinct 5 recommends that you notify your alarm company to make our agency the first contact point when your alarm is triggered, even above yourself. This will save valuable time and get law enforcement en route immediately should your alarm go off.
LIGHTS: If you are going to leave lights on, consider placing them on timers, or ask a neighbor to turn them on and off for you. Exterior lights should only be left on if they are equipped with dusk to dawn sensors. Lights left on over night are ok, but exterior lights left on through the day can be a sign that no one is home.
VEHICLES: No matter where you leave your vehicle, do not leave valuables inside. If there will be no vehicles parked in front of your house or in the driveway, ask a neighbor if they would park their car in your driveway.
PETS: Having a friend watch your pet for you while you're gone is a great idea, but make sure your dog or cat has updated ID tags with good contact information for you on them. That way, in the event your pet gets out, they can be traced back to you.
VISITORS: The best way to avoid having your house look empty is to not have an empty house. Finding a friend to "house sit" for you is not only a smart idea, but it takes care of other issues as well, like a pet sitter, parking a car in the driveway, etc.
EMERGENCY CONTACT: Some homeowners want to be notified in the unlikely event of an emergency. This is completely understandable, but it's always a good idea to have a point of contact that is close by.
Please submit Vacation Watch Requests at least 3 days prior to your departure date to ensure deputies receive them in time. If you're within three days, you may still submit on-line, but call the dispatch line at 281-463-6666 so that your request can be expedited.
To submit a Special Watch, click here.
Source: HCP5 Constable's Office
