Leaving Sebastian for the holidays? How the police House Watch program works, the rules, and how to sign up

The holidays are coming, and a lot of Sebastian driveways will sit empty for a few days or a few weeks. Some neighbors fly to see family. Others split the year between Sebastian and somewhere else.

If that is you, the Sebastian Police Department has a program built for it. It is called House Watch, and it is run by the department's Volunteer Unit. Here is how it works, the rules on the form, and what to do before you lock the door.

What the volunteers check

According to the City of Sebastian, House Watch volunteers look at four things when they stop by:

• Whether your doors and windows are secure.
• Whether the home has been vandalized.
• Whether anything about the home's condition looks unusual.
• Whether there are missing or unusual vehicles on the property.

The program is for City of Sebastian residents who will be away for an extended period. If you live outside city limits, this is not your program. The Sebastian Police Department serves the city, so check with the agency that covers your address.

The rules on the form

The House Watch form is short, but it has a few conditions worth knowing before you fill it out:

• It is limited to six months. The form says the program has a 6-month limit.
• Someone has to be able to come. You must have a local keyholder who can respond within 30 minutes. The form asks for two keyholders, with their phone numbers and how they know you.
• Not for empty or listed homes. Volunteers will not check houses that are for sale, for rent, vacant, or if someone is staying at the residence.
• Lock up first. The form says it is very important to secure all windows and doors before you leave.
• Tell them about cars. If a vehicle will be parked in the driveway, even a neighbor's, give the tag number, make and color.
• Call when things change. If anything on the form changes, call the volunteers at 772-589-5233, so officers are not sent out for someone who is supposed to be there.
• Cancel when you get home. The homeowner must cancel House Watch on return.

What the form asks for

Have this ready before you sit down with the form, and it will take just a few minutes:

• Your name, phone, Sebastian address and mailing address.
• Where you will be, plus your departure and return dates and times.
• Your alarm company, lawn service and pool service, if you have them.
• Whether a dog will be in the yard or the house.
• Any vehicles left at the house, and where they are parked.
• Whether a radio, TV or lights are left on or on timers, and at what times.
• Two local keyholders, with home and work phone numbers.
• Any special instructions.

Those questions matter. If the volunteers know the lawn crew comes on Tuesdays and the hallway light turns on at 6 p.m., they will not mistake normal activity for a problem.

Have an alarm? Check the permit too

The Sebastian Police Department lists alarm permits among its services. The city says registration is required for all active alarm systems, whether or not an alarm company monitors them. If you have a system and are about to leave town, it is a good time to make sure yours is registered and that the alarm company has your current keyholder numbers.

What to do before you leave

1. Download the House Watch form from the City of Sebastian website, or pick one up in the police lobby at 1201 Main Street.
2. Line up two local keyholders. At least one must be able to reach your house within 30 minutes.
3. Fill in the form, sign it and return it by mail, in person or by email, before you leave.
4. Lock every door and window, including the garage side door and any sliding glass doors.
5. Let your lawn and pool services know you will be away, and list them on the form.
6. Set lights on timers and write the times on the form.
7. If you have an alarm, confirm it is registered with the city and that the monitoring company has your keyholders.
8. When you get home, call 772-589-5233 to cancel House Watch.

For an emergency, always call 911. For questions about House Watch, call the Sebastian Police Department non-emergency line at 772-589-5233.