Whether you’re away for the day or for several weeks, the Hillsborough Police Department can help you make your home more secure.

When requested, Hillsborough police officers will check on your home when you’re away and provide advice on how to make your property more secure before you go. 

“We want to do everything we can to help our residents,” said Police Sgt. Scott Foster, who leads the department’s community action team. “Our mission is to protect people and property.” 

According to a study by the home security company ADT, 65% of home break-ins occur during the day and more home burglaries occur in the summer than in other seasons.

Asking the Police Department for help or following officers’ general tips may help save you the headache of a home break-in. 

Security and Property Checks

When requested, an officer will visit your property as time permits and walk around the outside of your home. The time of the visit will be logged, and the visit will include visually checking that your windows and doors remain secure. 

For security assistance beyond two weeks, the Police Department offers a property check, which involves driving by your home as time permits but not necessarily walking on your property.  

In addition to giving you peace of mind, the frequent visits may deter someone from breaking in. They also provide a time frame for a break-in, should one occur. 

To schedule a security or property check, contact Senior Administrative Support Specialist Danielle King at least two business days before you plan to be away by phone at 919-296-9500 or by contact form.

These services are secondary to primary emergency services but are still taken very seriously. A date, time or frequency cannot be guaranteed, but the Hillsborough Police Department does its best to maintain a high standard of customer service for these requests.

Security Consultation 

Police officers also are available to meet with you to evaluate the security of your house and property and make suggestions. This consultation includes outside security considerations, such as fences, lighting and landscaping as well as doors, windows and locks. It also includes interior security, such as alarms, safes and how to best protect property inside the home. 

To request a security consultation, contact Foster by phone at 919-296-9563 or by contact form. 

General Security Tips

Consider these simple tips to help secure your home. 

Outside:

• Lock up ladders — An unsecured ladder may be used to break into your home.
• Avoid hiding a key outside. Leave a key with a neighbor if you’re worried about locking yourself out.
• If you can, park your car in your garage while you’re away rather than in the driveway.  

Inside your home: 

• Use a timer so lights come on at night, but don’t have only the hallway light on timer. 
• Place a timer on a radio. 
• Close blinds or drapes, or remove valuables from areas that can be seen through windows.

In your garage:

• Lock garage doors. 
• If your garage is attached to your house, lock the house door in your garage. 
• Remove garage door opener remotes from any cars remaining on your property while you’re away. 

Other: 

• Don’t post on social media that you’re on vacation. 
• Test smoke alarms before going on vacation. 
• Ask a neighbor to pick up your mail and packages.