CPD promotes House Watch during the holidays

By Randy Bell

For those planning a Christmas vacation, Clinton police can keep an eye on their home to try to make sure they don’t get a visit from the Grinch while they’re away. The Clinton Police Department (CPD) offers House Watch year-round, and it’s always popular during the holidays.

“All they have to do is call us,” says Police Chief Ford Hayman. “[Or] look online, fill out the form. We will come by and check on their house two or three times a day for the duration that they’re gone.”

CPD’s phone number is 601-924-5252. Alternately, residents can visit the City’s ClintonMS.org home page, look for “SERVICES” at the top, go to “Police Department” and click “House Watch.”

That pulls up a page where residents can submit a House Watch request. All that’s required is the resident’s name, phone number, email, the address to be watched and the dates the resident is leaving and returning. There’s also a box to include additional information that the police department might need to know.

CPD says House Watch is intended for short-term periods when a house is vacant, with the service limited to two weeks. It asks residents who return home ahead of schedule to notify the police department to prevent any misunderstandings.

“We’ve had people that returned home [early], and they’re at the sink washing dishes, and an officer is poking his head through the window,” Hayman laughs.