With the summer vacation season upon us, Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue is encouraging citizens to once again inform the police of when their house will be vacant by filling out a house check form.

Blue said the police saw a dramatic 38 percent decrease in residential break-ins during the past holiday season, which he credits to the house check program.

“It provides more visibility in your neighborhood in your absence, and you can’t argue with those results,” said Blue.

Blue said that student housing can be a target for break-ins during the summer as well.

“We know that when students are out of town, and when people are moving into vacation time, break-ins spike,” said Blue. “Whether it’s the holidays or the end of this semester, moving into the summer.”

House check forms can be found on the Chapel Hill Police website.

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