Vacation Help: Police Will Watch Your House

A Foxborough resident recently called police about a break-in, but it wasn't his home. He'd been watching his neighbors home while the family was out of town.

It's good to have a neighbor helping out, but they don't have to be the only ones. The Goose Creek and Hanahan police departments each have programs to keep an eye on your house while you're away.

The Foxborough resident told police he had walked his neighbor's dog at about 9:30 p.m. He locked the door and turned the porch light on before he left.

The next morning, he noticed the door to the garage had been kicked in. Two large TVs had been stolen and drawers in each bedroom had been rifled through.

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Goose Creek Police Department has an online form for its Housewatch program, with departure and return dates. The watch will stop as soon as you call the department, letting them know you've returned.

They'll also ask for your destination, a contact number and whether there is someone local with keys to the property. Also, let them know what cars they should expect to see at the home and which lights will be left on.

You can download a similar form for the (for homes and businesses). Hanahan PD also offers suggestions for securing your home and valuables before you leave:

• Secure your home
• Have good locks on all doors and windows, AND USE THEM!
• Engrave your valuables with your driver's license number (preceded by "SC").
• Never leave your house key hidden outside under a doormat, in a flower pot, or on the ledge of a door.
• Make your house appear "lived in". Use timers for lights and radios. Have a neighbor pick up mail, packages and newspapers, and keep the lawns mowed and watered.
• Leave your trip plans and an emergency phone number with trusted neighbors or friends. 

More:

• Complete police and fire coverage
• Have You Seen Me?, a collection of local suspects on security footage
• Odd or noteworthy crime items at 
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