Houston, TX – With holiday travel expected to rise across the Houston area this week, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents to sign up for its free Vacation Watch program, which allows deputies to check on homes while families are away.
According to the sheriff’s office, the program is available to Harris County residents who will be out of town and want added security. Once registered online, deputies make periodic patrols past the property, looking for unusual activity, signs of forced entry, or anything that might require follow-up.
The announcement was shared this week in a seasonal reminder meant to help reduce holiday-related burglaries—an issue that often increases when large numbers of people leave town. Deputies say participating homes will receive additional drive-bys and visual checks throughout the homeowner’s absence.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that the service is free and only requires a short online form, which includes travel dates, contact information, and any special details a deputy should know. Officials say programs like Vacation Watch help strengthen community safety during peak travel periods, particularly between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.
Residents are also encouraged to take standard home-security steps such as locking all doors and windows, setting timers on lights, suspending mail delivery, and avoiding posting real-time travel plans on social media. Deputies say these precautions, combined with routine patrol checks, can greatly reduce the risk of break-ins.
Anyone traveling this month can learn more or register for the program through the Harris County Sheriff’s Office website.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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