As the United States makes its way back to normal coming out of COVID, the summer vacation season may be one of the busiest in recent memory.

As you head your various ways for some rest and relaxation, Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers encourages not losing sight of the things you need to do to protect yourself on the homefront. He encourages being a good neighbor and reaching out to each other and help keep watch over one another.

The Chief encourages having a trusted friend or relative frequently check on your home. He says you can have your mail held and newspaper service paused. 

Chief Lowers understands the desire to share photos of the fun you're having wherever you may but he encourages using discretion with how much we're sharing. He notes a simple post can reveal a lot about your whereabouts, but also the fact you're home is also vacant.

According to Chief Lowers, the Police Department offers a vacation watch program where they will do a drive-by of your home a couple of times per day. Chief Lowers says it is as easy as providing the department some basic information and the dates of your planned travel.

You can get signed up for the vacation watch program by calling 217-935-9441.