West Fargo Police Offer Vacation House Watch Program

The program provides daily patrols for homes while residents are away during winter travel.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 10:55pm

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The West Fargo Police Department is offering a vacation house watch program to provide daily patrols for homes while residents are out of town during cold-weather travel. Residents can sign up online or in person at the police department, and officers will check on the home while the owners are away. The program is designed to give homeowners peace of mind, and police recommend additional precautions like having someone take out the garbage and using timers for lights and TVs to make the home appear occupied.

Why it matters

With many residents traveling during the winter months, the vacation house watch program helps address concerns about home security and property crime. West Fargo has seen an increase in burglaries and vandalism during the colder seasons as more homes are left unattended, so the police department is proactively offering this service to the community.

The details

Through the vacation house watch program, West Fargo police will send either a patrol officer or community service officer to drive through neighborhoods and check on homes while residents are away. When signing up, homeowners are asked if they have any security systems installed. Police recommend additional precautions like having someone take out the garbage and using timers for lights and TVs to make the home appear occupied.

  • The vacation house watch program is available year-round, but is especially encouraged during the winter travel season.

The players

West Fargo Police Department

The local law enforcement agency in West Fargo, North Dakota that is offering the vacation house watch program to residents.

Rhonda Jorgensen

A community engagement officer with the West Fargo Police Department who provided details about the vacation house watch program.

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What they’re saying

“Maybe having somebody take out your garbage on garbage day, even if the garbage is empty, just to make it look like you're home, and having lights, TVs, things like that inside the house on timers.”

— Rhonda Jorgensen, Community Engagement Officer

What’s next

Residents can sign up for the vacation house watch program online or in person at the West Fargo Police Department.

The takeaway

The West Fargo Police Department's vacation house watch program provides an important service to help keep homes secure while residents are away during the winter travel season, complementing other precautions homeowners can take to deter potential burglars and vandals.