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Town offers free service for vacationing families to protect against crime


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Most Capital Region schools are out for mid-winter break, and because of that, a unique program operated by a local town is in one of its busy seasons.

If you go on vacation with your family, the Town of Clifton Park will send a security officer to your home to check for any problems. We learned how the free service works.

“It’s just a way for people to have peace of mind when they're out of town,” said Clifton Park Town Supervisor Phil Barrett.

If you're about to take a trip, you fill out an online form with when you're leaving, where you're going and what cars are supposed to be parked outside. Then a town security officer comes to check the home twice a day until you get back.

“That way if we do see something on the property that’s a miss, like a broken window or the door ajar, we can contact the police,” Barrett said.

With schools out for winter break town supervisor Phil Barrett says security officers are out in force.

“In the winter months and summer months we do see an increase in the amount of people who want their property monitored,” Barrett said.

The town supervisor tells CBS 6 between 30 and 40 town residents are using the program at any given time.

Barrett says security officers immediately alert the sheriff's office if they see a problem.

“One of our security officers found a broken window, they saw footprints in the snow that weren't theirs and they called the sheriff's department right away to report a breach,” Barrett said.

The watchful eye also helps authorities.

“There's a much better chance the police will be able to catch the perpetrators,” Barrett said.

As a part of its’ vacation program, the town urges residents not to post on social media if you'll be taking a trip.

Crooks use social media posts as a tool to find out when you'll be away.

Link to Clifton Park Residential Vacation Watch Service:

http://www.cliftonpark.org/index.php/services/residential-vacation-watch

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