CCPD offers holiday home checks
Ever stress out over leaving your house for an extended period of time to go on vacation or travel for work?
The Cape Coral Police Department offers vacation house checks as a service to give residents a sense of comfort while away.
“If you have no one else who can check on your property for you, this service can give you peace of mind that there will be a presence around your property, and that any issues that arise can be addressed immediately and without delay,” said CCPD spokesperson Philip Mullen.
Uniformed civilian volunteers will come to your home and visually inspect the surrounding area of your residence, noting what they observe along the way.
If they find anything out of the ordinary, the CCPD Communications Bureau is notified and a police officer is dispatched to asses the situation and, if necessary, take action.
The program has been tremendously successful, according to CCPD, giving the police department an extra set of eyes in the neighborhood to look after homes of those who are away for whatever reason.
“This is a service provide by our Police Volunteer Unit, and has existed at least for as long as I’ve worked here (11 years),” said Mullen.
What precautions can you take before heading out of town for an extended period of time?
“Make sure, of course, that (your home) is locked up and secure, to include any vehicles not garaged. Have lights on a timer and/or motion sensor lights to have an ‘occupied’ appearance and the deterrence of a well-lit area. Utilize cameras and home security if able. Stop your mail delivery until your return, a full or overflowing mailbox is a giveaway to your absence,” said Mullen. “Have family or neighbors check on your home while you’re away (if you decide not to use the CCPD service).”
To request a vacation house check, visit www.capecops.com/vacation-house-check and fill out the request form at the bottom of the page.
Make sure to leave as much information as possible, as CCPD will contact you if they find anything suspicious.
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