By Jan Vejraska
Special to Independent Newsmedia
Each year, thousands of Sun City West residents leave the community to escape the summer heat.
Some go for weeks or months, while others will be gone half the year.
A Sun City West Sherrif’s Posse members checks a home as part fo the group’s Vacation Watch program, which has been enhanced by the recent transition to a computerized system.
This annual exodus kick starts the Sun City West Sheriff’s Posse’s Vacation Watch program, which is a house check service provided to Sun City West residents to ensure their home are safe and secure while homeowners are away.
An initial house check is made within seven days after a resident leaves. This initial check is extremely important, since it is then that posse members find most problems, such as open or unlocked doors, unlatched windows and, sometimes, open garage doors. After the initial check, homes are checked on a routine, round-robin schedule.
Routinely, doors and windows are monitored to ensure they are still locked. Irrigation systems are checked for leakage or damaged bubblers. Other potential red flags include water pouring out from a leaking hot water heater. Following a monsoon storm, the posse will eyeball the roof to see if there is any damage as well as checking the entire property for downed trees, blown shingles or blown skylights.
