RPD Launches ‘While You’re Away’ Home Surveillance Program

The Redlands Police Department (RPD) wants to help protect residents’ property from opportunistic thieves with a new vacation program designed to catch criminals in the act. Residential burglaries in Redlands from January to July 2013 have risen nearly 16 percent over the same time period last year. Beginning in September 2013, Redlands residents can contact the Redlands Police Department before leaving for any extended period of time and arrange to check out a small tracking device that can be hidden on items of value that are particularly attractive to burglars. The motion-sensitive device is activated once the resident leaves on vacation. Any movement of the device will set off a signal that sends a text to both the resident and the Police Department. Officers can then use tracking software with the device to quickly locate the stolen property and the thief. The Police Department purchased the first devices with asset seizure funds, designated for non-General Fund purposes. There is no cost to participate in this program. But in order to sustain the program, the police department is asking for voluntary donations to help offset the monthly service fee the Police Department has to pay. In addition, the department is seeking donations to purchase additional devices. The cost of each device is $450 plus a $30 per month service fee. Residents or businesses wishing to take part in the program can visit the Redlands Police Department website at www.redlandspolice.org and click on the Redlands Electronic Vacation House Stakeout Program link. Residents will be directed to two online forms that will need to be completed prior to taking part in the program. If a resident or business owner desires to take part in a long-term deployment of a device, the resident or business owner may make a donation to fund the full cost of the device. The person funding the device will be able to use the device during the entire funding period. For those using the device temporarily, RPD will require a fully refundable deposit of $200 to acquire the device. The deposit can be secured with a check. The check will not be cashed unless the device is not returned. The vacation house tracker device program will augment the Police Department’s successful Vacation House Check program. Residents going away for an extended time can arrange with the Redlands Police Department for frequent vacation house checks by trained Citizen Volunteer Patrol members. Contact the Redlands Police Department at 909-798-7681 or visit the website at www.redlandspolice.org.