How to Get a Home Check in San Diego While on Vacation – NBC 7 San Diego

If you live in the city of San Diego, you’ve probably seen the all-white patrol cars with “RSVP” written on them

They are piloted by members of the San Diego Police Department’s Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol (RSVP) team, who spend their shifts completing tasks that sworn officers may not be able to do.

“You can’t even put a value on it,” said Mariam Sadri, an SDPD officer assigned to the department’s volunteer services unit. “It’s invaluable.”

She has been in her role for seven years and explained that every volunteer plays a vital role in taking the pressure off an understaffed department. The RSVP team’s key responsibilities, Sadri explained, include conducting leave checks and running the “You Are Not Alone” program.

“We’re not police officers, we’re just there to show you presence,” said Michael Hughes, who has been with RSVP for 22 years. He grew up in San Diego and, after a long career as a business owner, decided to volunteer to give back to the community.

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“As long as I can drive and walk,” he said, “I don’t really want to retire unless I have to.”

To inspect vacation homes, anyone who lives within SDPD jurisdiction can fill out a form online and request to have an RSVP member visit their home when they are out of town to ensure it is not being broken into or tampered with.

“They can have the peace of mind that someone is looking out for them,” said Susan Townsend, RSVP for five years. She explained that they check doors, windows, locks, fences and vehicles to make sure everything is as it should be.

Either yourself or a loved one who lives alone and cannot leave the house can enroll in the YANA program. Visits are conducted weekly by RSVP members at a recurring, selected time and day of the week. It can be as simple as a social visit, or they can help with whatever is needed.

“This way I can provide support to people at risk and make sure they are safe,” Townsend said. “If we come across someone who won’t answer the door, who may be passed out or something like that, we can send the police or call 911 and they will come and provide the necessary assistance.”

However, Sadri, Hughes and Townsend agree that the RSVPs need their own support.

“It’s a problem,” Hughes said. According to Sadri, there are around 160 volunteers with RSVP, and they hope more people will join.

As for requirements, interested candidates must be at least 50 years of age, interested in working with law enforcement officials, and have a valid California driver’s license, among other requirements. All RSVP volunteers are required to attend a two-week academy and then complete three eight-hour shifts each month.

Further information on how to get involved can be found here.