With the Memorial Day holiday and unofficial start of summer soon upon Evesham Township, the police department is reminding residents about its free “Vacation Check” service offered now and throughout the year.
While residents enjoy their time away for days or even weeks at a time, Evesham’s Police are reminding residents that the department’s officers can conduct multiple, random checks on a resident’s home throughout the day, for a period of up to 21 days at a time.
According to police officials, officers with the ETPD conducted approximately 1,400 Vacation Checks last year as part of this completely complimentary service offered to residents.
According to police, the Vacation Check program has been “tremendously successful” since it was first enacted, as the homes of those away on vacation or other business can be an “all too common target for burglars.”
Although the word “vacation” is in the name of the program, police say these checks are available to any resident who might be away from their home for an extended period of time, whether it’s for a vacation, a business trip or any other reason that might take residents away from Evesham.
As outlined by the department’s website, these checks can include a visual and/or physical component.
When checking a home, police may visually observe the residence as they drive by during routine patrols, or police might physically inspect the premises as well by walking around the perimeter of the residence to ensure that doors and windows remain closed and undamaged.
If any resident believes they would have better peace of mind during their time away if they knew ETPD officers were checking on their home, then police officials encourage those residents to signup for the checks before any upcoming trips.
To sign up for the program, visit the department’s website at www.eveshampd.org.
Once there, residents simply need fill out a Vacation Check request form by providing details such as the location of the property, contact information, a departure and return date, as well was if anyone else will be entering the property, if any vehicles will be left behind and if any lights or other electronics will remain on and active.
It addition to taking advantage of the department’s Vacation Check program, the Evesham Township Police Department also recommends that residents review the following steps that can help residents “better safeguard” their home while away:
• Installing good locks on all doors and windows and using them.
• Ensuring a residence looks “lived in,” (not empty).
• Leaving shades and blinds in a normal position.
• Asking a neighbor to watch the residence while away.
• Testing smoke and burglar alarms before leaving.
• Stopping all deliveries, arranging for a neighbor to pick up mail, newspaper and other deliveries.
• Having a neighbor place garbage cans at the curb on normal pickup day(s) and returning them after the garbage pickup is made.
• Plugging in timers to turn lights and a radio or television on and off at appropriate times.
• Refraining from announcing the upcoming absence on social media websites or answering machines.
• Closing and locking garage doors and windows, as well as parking a car in the driveway or asking a neighbor to occasionally park in the driveway.
• Considering taking valuables to a bank safety deposit box.
