East St. Paul's Community Safety Services now offers a Vacation Home Patrol Program.

What is the purpose of this program?

Community Safety Officers will conduct exterior checks of your residence to provide peace of mind while traveling abroad.

Who qualifies for the program?

Residents with a residential property in the RM of East St. Paul who are traveling between six days and up to one month.

What is required to take advantage of this program?

An application must be submitted seven days before your travel departure date to allow processing time. Applications can be completed online HERE and returned by email to pscoordinator@eaststpaul.com, or completed in person at the RM of East St. Paul Administration Office at 1-3021 Birds Hill Road.

What is the cost of the program?

There are no fees associated with the program.

Once an application is submitted, what happens next?

The Protective Services Coordinator will review the application to ensure it meets the criteria and will contact the applicant by phone to discuss the application.

Once an application is accepted, what happens next?

During daily patrols, Community Safety Officers will attend your residence and conduct an exterior check to ensure the residence and detached structures are secure. PLEASE NOTE: This service does not replace any house inspections required by your house insurance policy and homeowners are responsible for ensuring they have adequate insurance coverage during their absence. This service is to ensure that if your home is broken into while you are away, it will be secured by the CSOs and RCMP.

What happens if a Community Safety Officer discovers that your home has been broken into?

If a break-in is discovered, the Community Safety Officer will notify the RCMP to commence a criminal investigation. The Community Safety Officer will inform the homeowner, or the homeowner's contact person, and assist with securing the home.

Crime Prevention Tips:

• Ensure your home appears occupied by using timers to activate lights and radios at varying times.
• Avoid broadcasting you are on vacation, including on social media.
• Notify trusted neighbors to keep an eye on your property. Provide your neighbor with your contact number in the event of a problem.
• Have a trusted keyholder conduct regular property checks of your residence, in accordance with your home insurance policy.
• Temporarily stop your newspaper or other home deliveries, or have someone collect them on a regular basis.
• Secure all doors, windows, garages, sheds, and gates. Consider unplugging garage door openers.