TEMPLE, Texas — For Temple residents travelling for the holiday season, the Temple Police Department is offering their assistance to watch resident's homes and belongings.
The department's house watch program has been offered for several years, said TPD Public Information Officer Megan Price, and is available to residents all year round.
"TPD will add their address to their patrol routes and make passes periodically checking to make sure there isn't any suspicious activity," Price said.
To request your home be added to an officer's patrol route, residents can pick up a form in the TPD lobby and are free to call the department with any questions about the program.
"If a specific officer is running a route close to the address of the resident that wants to be added, they'll just add that home to their route," Price said.
Price said the officers will be on the lookout for "suspicious activity" at the homes during their patrol, such as unfamiliar vehicles at the residence or on the street, signs of forced entry like broken windows or doors or even windows left cracked open.
"If the exterior of the home looks a little different, like the garage was closed and they drive by again and it's open," Price said.
When filling out the forms, residents will put down their leaving and returning dates to notify officers when they want their homes added to officer patrol routes.
However, Price encourages residents to take the precautions they can by installing doorbell cameras to track when packages are being delivered, and if a thief were to steal a package or belonging it's easier to give police a physical description of the assailant.
"Another tip is altering your mail or delivery services on days you'll be out of town so they won't be delivering bills or things like that when you're not home," Price said.
The Belton and Hewitt Police Departments offer similar programs for their residents.
For those out holiday shopping, Price said vigilance is key when navigating parking lots for any signs of suspicious activity.
"We tend to patrol those areas where there will be a lot of people or events happening," Price said. "Lock your cars, don't leave bags in your car and bring them in immediately when you get home."
Price suggests shoppers cover their purchases with a blanket or other covering in their trunk so they're out of sight from criminals or passersby.
Price said for those leaving town, having timers on lights, TVs and radios to give the perception that someone is home can help deter criminals. Also, inform trusted neighbors of the days you'll be gone and do not hide keys under door mats.
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