YCSO to help winter visitors check their homes while away

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Yuma County Sheriff's Office (YCSO) is encouraging winter visitors to sign up for a program to help keep their home safe while they're away.

As many winter visitors get ready to travel to their summer homes, YCSO is offering the vacation home watch program. It's a free service where YCSO volunteers keep an eye on their property.

"They conduct frequent patrols of your neighborhood, but keeping an extra close eye on your home knowing that it is supposed to be vacant and on the lookout for any suspicious activity," said Tania Pavlak, YCSO's Public Information Officer.

You can sign up by filling out a form at the sheriff's office.

It's something winter visitor Dick Evanson already did, as he is getting ready to go back to Oregon.

"I think that's great. We need it. We need the sheriff department, the volunteers come around drive by and check on a lot of these home," said Evanson.

Besides taking advantage of this program, people can also take extra steps to keep their home safe while they're away.

"Make sure your doors are locked. Your windows are locked and also notified a trusted neighbor that you are leaving the area so you have an additional set of eyes to keep your property safe," said PIO Pavlak.

To sign up for the vacation home watch program, download the form here.