Going on a holiday trip? PCSO can check on your home

Going out of town during the holiday season? Worried about leaving all your presents inside while you're gone for a few days?

The Pinal County Sheriff's Office offers a program to watch your home while you're on vacation, so if you have a home in San Tan Valley, and plan to be out of town for any amount of time, you can sign up for their free House Watch program.

A member of the PCSO Citizens on Patrol (COP) Posse will make regular in-person checks of your property and look for any unwanted people, vehicles or signs of intrusion.

This program is ideal for our part-time or winter residents, vacant homes, or while you are on vacation.

To request that your home be put on the program, simply click here to fill out the online form. The form asks questions like how many cars will be parked in the driveway while you're gone, whether you have pets, a security alarm, if there is gate access and if people will be working on the home (landscapers, pool, construction) while you're gone.

Any questions please call 520-866-5111.

Other tips if you are leaving town:

• Lock and secure all windows and doors
• Make sure your home does not appear unoccupied
• Continue regular lawn care
• Install motion-sensing exterior lights and put interior lights on timers
• Remove valuables from the home
• Avoid posting your travel plans on social media
• Give a neighbor or friend an extra key

Our COP Posse members will not enter your home or pass through any backyard gates. You may also want to have somebody you trust check on the inside and backyard of your home.