House Watch Program

House Watch Program Purpose

In an effort for the community to enjoy their stays away from their homes, whether it be for a vacation or hospitalization, the Bonham Police Department has implemented the House Watch Program. This service is provided to the people of Bonham so that no matter how long they are gone, their time is more enjoyable and less worrisome because of the security of their homes.

How Do I Get a House Watch Started?

There are two ways to initiate a house watch, by phone or online. 

Phone

All the resident needs to do is to call the Bonham Police Department at 903-583-2141. at which time the Communications Officer will ask the resident some questions, so it would be helpful to have the following information ready:

  • Name
  • Phone Number
  • Street Address of Your Residence
  • Date Leaving
  • Date of Return
  • Any Lights Left on in the Residence and Their Location(s) (We recommend the use of light timers.)
  • Any Vehicles Left at the Residence (Make, Model, And Tag Number )
  • Contact Person in Case of Emergency
  • Where Can You Be Reached? (if possible)
  • Anyone Picking up the Mail? (We recommend that someone pick up the mail and any newspapers so that the criminal element is not alerted to you not being at home, due to overflowing mailbox and newspapers lying in the yard.)
  • Will There Be Any Repairmen at the Residence During Your Absence?

Online

To request a House Watch online, simply click the link below and complete the form as prompted.. The form will require the same information listed above.

House Watch Request Form

Note: We do request that upon your return home, you notify our Department by phone so that the house watch can be canceled.


How Does the House Watch Work?

Once you have called the Police Department, the Communications Officer fills out a House Watch Card for each patrol unit and sets them out for the on-duty patrol officer to pick up at the beginning of each shift. With the information provided by you, the patrol officer will go by your residence at least once a shift, at which time the patrol officer will survey the residence to make sure that everything is all right. Once the patrol officer has done that, he will mark on the House Watch Card the date, time, and the patrol officer's badge number, indicating when the residence was checked. This will continue until our Department is notified by you that you have returned home, after which the House Watch Cards are mailed to the homeowner.

Exceptions

  • Houses that are "For Sale" and empty do not qualify for the House Watch Program.
  • Rental houses that are empty, between rentals, do not qualify for the House Watch Program.
  • In order to have a residence placed on a House Watch, the resident must be absent from the residence for a minimum of two days.