Neosho Police Department Launches New Home Reassurance Program

The Neosho Police Department is proud to announce the launch of the Home Reassurance Program, a new community-focused initiative designed to give residents added peace of mind while they are away from home.

This free program allows Neosho residents to request a house check during vacations or extended absence from their home. Once enrolled, a patrol officer will conduct a daily exterior inspection of the residence and document any findings during the requested time period.

“It's a program we had in Neosho probably 20 years ago, and it's one of those things that's a nice benefit to be a Neosho resident,” Neosho Chief of Police Peter Russell. “If a Neosho citizen goes on vacation or takes care of a sick family member or whatever the case might be, they're away from the home for an extended amount of time. They can come down to the police station and ask for their home to be extra patrolled. The police officer will go there, they will walk around the house, note any. Anything that might be unusual, contact the homeowner if there is anything unusual so that we can get a jump on if there's a burglary that's committed or proper damage or whatever the case is. But certainly most importantly, it gives the homeowner peace of mind that the home is being looked after while they're gone.”

How the Program Works:
• Each day, a patrol officer will perform a walk-around inspection of the registered residence, looking for suspicious activity, property damage, or signs of burglary.
• If evidence of a crime or damage is discovered, the officer will immediately contact the homeowner and file a report to initiate the criminal investigation process.
• If no issues are found, the officer will complete and sign the designated checklist for the residence, confirming the inspection was performed.

“We're a busy agency, but not so super busy that we don't have some time out of our day where we can't take care of or provide some reassurance to our citizens,” Russell added. “Get a jump on if a crime has occurred. Let's be the ones who find it. Not, not wait till a homeowner comes back from vacation and then be like, ‘oh my goodness, I can't believe this happened’. It's really all about reconnecting, providing services outside of just call handling, only being called to just crimes and actually doing something that matters for our citizens.”

Eligibility Requirements:
• Must be a resident of the City of Neosho (proof of residency required via a utility bill in the applicant’s name).
• Must provide emergency contact information for notification purposes.
• Must complete the signup form in person at the Neosho Police Department.

Additional Information:
• Each signup is valid for 30 days. If extended coverage is needed, residents must return in person to renew their request.

Residents seeking more information or wishing to enroll can contact the Neosho Police Department at 417-451-8012 or visit the department in person during regular business hours.