In both the cold and warm months, Bethany Beach police officers can be seen cruising the streets and performing house and business checks while owners are away to ensure the structures are secure as part of their Residence Check Program.

It is another tool in their crime-fighting arsenal. Although the program targets homes, it is a service they provide to both residents and business owners, according to Police Chief Michael Redmon.

"Our Residence Check Program is very popular and gives the property owner peace of mind knowing that the police department is monitoring and patrolling the area," he said.

Yet, Redmon wants more residents to get involved. He said they have about the same number of residents participating now as they did in the beginning, even though there are more homes and businesses.

"It has been in effect for years," he said. "I just don't think many people are aware of it."

Redmon's goal is to increase the number of participants to protect property while curbing, if not preventing, crimes from occurring in the town.

Redmon said the program began about 25 years ago and has about 100 residents participating. There are approximately 2,700 homes in Bethany Beach with most of those vacated for some time during the year.

The logistics of the program have officers patrol areas on foot, checking windows and doors to ensure they are secured. These same checks are performed on businesses each night.

The program has definitely worked in keeping the incidence of crime down, he said.

"I personally have experienced a home that had been broken into and was able to make an arrest by latent fingerprints left at the scene," Redmon said.

According to Redmon, the town is divided into seven sectors with an officer assigned to each one. He or she patrols that area every shift and becomes familiar with the routine happenings there. This also helps them pick up on things that are out of the ordinary. Officers will check when any thing is out of the ordinary.

To participate in the residence check program, contact officials at the Bethany Beach Police Department or stop by their office, located at town hall, and request an application.

"Our officers check windows, doors and the property overall for anything suspicious. All the property owner has to do is complete a short form," Redmon said.

On the application, residents need to provide a contact person in the event something is amiss at the property.

"And once it's been filled out and returned, we start patrolling the area and making sure the property is secure," he continued. "If it's not, we contact the owner right away."

For more information regarding the Residence Check Program, contact Bethany Beach Police Department at (302) 539-1000.

Reach Roxann Moore at (302) 537-1881, ext. 108, or by e-mail at mailto:rmoore@smgpo.gannett.com

Originally published Wednesday, April 9, 2003