May kicks off the beginning of the travel season, and the Danville police and the Sheriff’s Department make going away easier – and safer. Completely free of charge, they will look after the homes of residents while they are on vacation. Police visit homes as much as time allows, and checkups include walking around the home to make sure everything looks secure.
Unattended homes are easy targets for burglars, said police. An overgrown lawn, an overflowing mailbox, a pile of newspapers and a dark house are all signs that no one is home.
“If burglars believe someone is home, they will move on to the next target,” said Sgt. George Wright of the Danville Police Department.
In addition to a vacation house check by the police, vacationers should think about mowing their lawn right before they leave, putting lights on timers, giving the house a lived-in look, and leaving a car in the driveway, he suggested.
Danville residents can request a vacation check online on the Danville Police Department Web site, or they can call 314-3410 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For residents of Alamo, Blackhawk and Diablo, vacation checks can be arranged on the non-emergency Sheriff’s Department dispatch line at 646-2441.
