đđ âđ
SBSO WILL CONDUCT EXTRA VACATION PATROLS
St. Bernard Parish residents planning to be away from home for an extended period – whether for vacation, work or other travel – can request extra patrols from the St. Bernard Sheriffâs Office to help keep an eye on their property while theyâre away, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.
âBefore heading out of town, we encourage residents to take advantage of this free service for added peace of mind,â Sheriff Pohlmann said. âOur deputies will make extra checks in the area while youâre gone.â
âď¸Residents can request extra patrols by calling the Sheriffâs Office at (504) 271-2501.
All information provided is kept confidential and shared only with deputies assigned to patrol the neighborhood where the resident lives.
Sheriff Pohlmann also encourages residents to leave a reliable contact number so deputies can quickly reach them if an issue arises while they are away, including suspicious activity or weather-related damage.
âThis program has helped residents feel more secure for many years by knowing deputies are keeping an eye on their homes while theyâre out of town,â the Sheriff said.
To help residents safeguard their homes during vacations or extended trips, the Sheriffâs Office also offers the following safety tips:
âLock all doors and windows before leaving. In the rush of travel preparations, itâs easy to overlook something simple.
âBe mindful about sharing travel plans. Avoid posting details about your trip on social media until after you return home.
âMake your home appear occupied. Ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on the property, park a vehicle in the driveway or collect mail and packages.
âUse timers and outdoor lighting. Timers for lights, televisions or radios can make the home appear occupied, while motion-activated lighting can help deter suspicious activity.
âSuspend deliveries if possible. Newspapers and packages left outside for several days can signal no one is home.
âAvoid hiding spare keys outside. Common hiding spots such as under mats, flowerpots or rocks are often the first places burglars check.
âKeep shrubs and landscaping trimmed around doors and windows to eliminate potential hiding spots.
âSet and test your alarm system before leaving and make sure emergency contact information is updated with your monitoring company.
âNotify your Neighborhood Watch group, if applicable, so neighbors can remain alert while you are away.
đResidents interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch group in their area can contact Lt. Eric Eilers at (504) 278-7628 for more information.
#SBSO
#KeepingStBernardSafe

