House Watch program helps protect home during holiday travels

Special to The Clinton Courier

For residents who are travelling during the holiday season, the Clinton Police Department’s House Watch service can be a helpful addition to a pre-travel “to-do” list.

“Residents continually compliment the House Watch service provided by the department. One resident even saw officers on his home security system patrolling his property on foot to check the perimeter of the residence,” said Clinton Police Chief Ford Hayman. “Our officers do more than a cursory drive by the residence. Officers also search the property to search for signs of entry and provide a visual deterrent to crime.”

House Watch is a police service that helps protect unoccupied homes while Clinton residents are away. Police will inspect homes periodically to help ensure their security. Officers of the Clinton Police Department will physically check the exterior of a resident’s property during an absence. Information provided makes it possible for officers to contact them or their designated key holder, in the event that the residence may need attention.

While the service cannot guarantee complete safety of the residence, it does provide another level of protection for residents as they are away. Registration is free to Clinton residents. Information shared with the Clinton Police House Watch program is confidential between the homeowner and the police.

Police leadership did note several requirements and recent changes to the House Watch Program:
• There is a two-week maximum for all House Watches. House Watches are for short-term periods of vacancy, such as vacations.
• If a property will be vacant or unoccupied for a period of time exceeding two weeks, residents are asked to enter their information on the Vacant Property Notification Form at www.ClintonMS.org/vacantproperty.
• Requests for House Watch may only be made by the homeowner or current resident.
• Due to the growing number of House Watch requests, residents are asked to give at least one business day advance notice prior to their departure.

To enroll, residents can simply visit www.clintonms.org/departments/services/police and complete the online form, which will be securely transmitted to CPD.

If travel plans change and the resident will be returning sooner or later than the dates originally stated, the resident should let the Clinton Police Department know as soon as possible by calling 601-924-5252. CPD does not need to be notified if the resident is returning as scheduled.