Police offer house check program in Fayetteville, other safety tips ahead of holidays

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- As holiday travel ramps up, the Fayetteville Police Department is urging residents to take extra steps to protect their homes and themselves, including signing up for the department's free house check program.

The program allows officers to conduct periodic checks of homes while residents are away, helping ensure doors and windows remain secure and no suspicious activity is occurring.

"To know that somebody is checking on my home, making sure the doors are secure, windows are secured, there's no one breaking in it just gives that extra sense of security and safety while you're away," said Sgt. Alpha Caldwell of the Fayetteville Police Department.

Police say the service is especially helpful during the holidays, when many families leave town for extended periods.

How to Sign Up

Home and property owners can request a house check by visiting the Fayetteville Police Department's website, selecting the "Community Policing & Engagement" section, and submitting a house or party check request form.

Once submitted, the information is sent to dispatchers and added to the department's system so officers can conduct checks during routine patrols, Caldwell said.

Shopping Safety Tips

In addition to home safety, police are reminding residents to stay alert while shopping, particularly during busy last-minute shopping days.

"If you're going shopping, especially on Christmas Eve or as a last-minute shopper and I'm one of them, take somebody with you," Caldwell said. "There's safety in numbers. Always be aware of your surroundings when you get out of your vehicle."

Police recommend parking in well-lit areas, locking vehicles, taking keys and valuables, and keeping shopping bags out of sight. Shoppers are also encouraged to scan parking lots for suspicious behavior before entering or exiting their vehicles.

Caldwell also warned against leaving empty gift boxes outside, saying they can provide clues to would-be thieves about what valuables may be inside a home.

"Now you're letting people who are watching know what you got for Christmas and what's inside your home," she said. "It creates an opportunity."

For those buying or selling items online through platforms such as Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, police recommend meeting at the police department to help ensure safety for all parties involved.