Harrisville Police

Imagine walking into someone’s home and being greeted by a pig dressed up as an elf laying in a dog bed.

That’s what happened to the Harrisville Borough Police Department’s Lt. Jordan Waclav walked into while conducting a vacation home check around Christmas last year in Marion Township. His is one of many municipal police departments that offer vacation home checks to ensure homes are kept safe and undisturbed while families travel.

Waclav was told the back door had been left unlocked, but the owners had not communicated what he would encounter inside.

“I thought it was the funniest thing because I was not expecting to see it at all,” Waclav said.

The Butler Township Police Department also offers vacation home checks, according to chief Brian Barnhart. He said his police department begins by opening an incident and having the homeowner fill out a form with the dates they will be away.

The department’s zone officers then visit the home at random times during the period so potential onlookers won’t know when they’re coming next.

“They visit those houses a lot,” Barnhart said about his officers. “It’s a good thing. People are always very appreciative.”

When the homeowner gets back, Barnhart sends them a letter with the times and dates police stopped by the house.

Many of the municipal police departments within Butler County that offer vacation home checks have a form the homeowner must sign after inquiring with the police department.