Chandler Police offers to check on homes for holiday vacationers

PHOENIX — Feeling uneasy about leaving your home unattended over the holidays?

The Chandler Police Department offers a Vacation Watch Program, which may give you some peace of mind.

Chandler residents can apply online or by phone at least one week before leaving, and police will check on the property during the time away.

The program is not for vacations longer than four weeks or for homes on the market.

Signing up for the police watch doesn’t mean you should neglect common safety practices, though.

The department recommended vacationers still make sure to lock all doors and windows, manually lock garage doors from the inside, stop mail deliveries and put some indoor lights on a timer.

“Security cameras and those things are great after the fact … but having people that are physically going there, looking, they can identify things that just don’t seem right or don’t seem normal,” Chandler Police Detective Seth Tyler told ABC15.

Tyler said police will not just swing by houses, but will check backyards, doors and windows.

He told ABC15 that 21 people are currently signed up for the program.

“Give people a different look at what officers do — we love being proactive,” Tyler said.

Related

Mesa man faces 1st-degree murder, child abuse charges in connection with 2-year-old boy’s deathICE contractor signs deal to reopen Arizona prison as immigration detention centerMore than a dozen dogs saved from hoarding case at VRBO, 6 looking for foster homesPeoria dispatchers hear gunfire after caller warns of impending murder-suicideNorthern Arizona University hazing sentencing brings 60 days in jail for ex-fraternity leaderAdrian Fontes, Alex Kolodin meet for final secretary of state debate before election