Newark Police Offer To Do Drive Bys

The Newark Police Department announced Wednesday that officers can do drive bys during the holidays to preserve public safety.

“RAVEN volunteers and police officers, as time permits, will drive by your home keeping an eye out for you while you are away,” reads a statement from the police.

All jokes aside, the Newark Police department is preparing for a time when many people go out of town to be with their families. Residents can register their homes with the department online to put their house on the patrol route.

The department does not charge extra to conduct these “Vacation House Checks.”

Here are Newark Police’s top 10 tips for keeping your home safe while you’re on vacation.

 An empty house is a tempting target for a burglar so make sure you do your best to have your home look occupied while you are away.
• Find a trusted friend or neighbor to watch your house. Give them your contact information in case they need to get a hold of you.
• Never broadcast your travel plans on a community email group, blog, Facebook, or other social networking site and remember if you check-in on foursquare or Facebook, everyone knows you aren't home!
• Install good locks on the doors and windows and use them.
• Engrave your valuables with your phone number and driver license number.
• Never leave a house key hidden outside of your home. If it is hidden in a pot, under the mat, beneath a rock or in a fake rock someone else may find it and enter your home while you are away.
• Stop all deliveries or arrange for someone to pick up your mail, newspapers, and packages.
• Arrange for someone to mow your lawn and maintain the yard while you are away. This keeps your home looking lived in.
• Place your inside lights and a radio on timers so that they go on and off, periodically in the evening hours.
• Hide your garbage cans out of sight. If your garbage cans are empty when everyone else’s are full, it is a sign that you are not at home.

Local law enforcement officials advise residents not to enter their home if they suspect it has been violated while they are away. You can report crimes to 510-758-4237.