Madison residents leaving town this summer can have police officers periodically check on their homes at no cost.

The Madison Police Department's Vacation Watch program puts empty houses on officers' patrol routes while owners are away. The Borough of Madison promoted the service on Monday, July 20, through the borough's official X account, urging travelers to register before they leave.

The program works simply: residents fill out an online form listing their address, travel dates, and emergency contact information. Officers then add the property to their rounds, checking for signs of trouble while the homeowner is gone.

The borough first publicized the Vacation Watch service for summer 2026 on Thursday, June 25, and posted a second reminder on July 20, suggesting the department wants to reach residents still planning trips in late July and August.

How to sign up

The Vacation Watch form is available on the Borough of Madison's official website at rosenet.org/FormCenter/Police-Department-7/Vacation-Notice-52. The form is listed under the Police Department section of the site.

The service is free. No deadline has been announced, and the borough's posts indicate it remains available throughout the summer travel season.

The Madison Police Department, led by Chief John R. Miscia, has not publicly shared enrollment numbers or details on how often officers check registered properties.

Other Summit-area departments

Residents in Summit, New Providence, Berkeley Heights, and Chatham who are interested in similar services should contact their local police departments directly. Many area departments offer comparable vacation watch or house-check programs, though availability and registration methods vary by municipality.

Anyone who notices suspicious activity near a neighbor's home can call the Madison Police Department's non-emergency line or dial 911 in an emergency.