The City of Tampa wants to remind homeowners that if they're planning their summer vacations to sign up for the police department's Vacation Watch Program.
While you're away a zone officer will check your home if time allows during his/her shift.
If long term watches are requested (over two weeks) then an officer will stop by weekly.
This is free a service offered to City of Tampa residents, but its not a guarantee that your home will be safe from crimes.
Taking it a step further, deputies with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office launched their summer anti-theft initiative where they handed out tools to secure belongings.
Deputies handed out bike locks, gun locks, steering wheel clubs and thumb drives for serialized property.
They plan to have a similar handout this summer.
Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties also offer similar vacation watch programs.
