---
title: "Kerala Residents Adopt Digital Surveillance Tool to Protect Vacant Homes"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/kerala-residents-adopt-digital-surveillance-tool-to-protect-vacant-homes-2c4av
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: India
published: 2026-08-03T15:46:01.000Z
modified: 2026-08-03T17:02:28.729Z
language: en-IN
---

# Kerala Residents Adopt Digital Surveillance Tool to Protect Vacant Homes

Over 31,000 users have registered for the Kerala Police 'Locked House' service via the POL-APP to secure their residences during travel. The digital initiative provides direct police monitoring for homes left empty for up to two weeks.

## Key takeaways

- Kerala's 'Locked House' digital service has surpassed 31,000 registrations for residential surveillance.
- Property owners must apply at least 48 hours before traveling to secure police monitoring for their vacant homes.
- Police surveillance via the POL-APP is capped at 14 days per application, requiring a renewal for longer absences.
- The POL-APP has reached 17 lakh downloads, making it one of India's most utilized public service mobile applications.

## Digitizing Residential Security

Data from the Kerala Police reveals that 31,188 individuals have utilized the 'Locked House' feature within the agency’s official mobile platform, POL-APP. This security initiative facilitates direct law enforcement oversight for residences left vacant while occupants are away. By integrating surveillance requests into a digital interface, the police aim to deter property crimes through scheduled patrols and monitoring of registered premises.

### Protocol for Home Surveillance Requests

Residents intending to use the service must adhere to specific administrative requirements to ensure operational efficiency. The department mandates that applications be submitted via the Locked House Information module of the app. Key procedural requirements include:
- Submission of requests no later than 48 hours prior to the owner's departure.
- Advanced booking allowed up to seven days before the travel date.
- Provision of a residence photograph, precise location coordinates, and the full address.
- Designation of a primary contact, such as a neighbor or relative, for emergency communication.

Once an application receives approval, officers monitor the specific site for a maximum of 14 days. If a resident's absence extends beyond this two-week window, the Kerala Police requires the submission of a new application to maintain the surveillance detail.

### Wide Adoption of POL-APP

The Kerala Police reports that POL-APP has secured approximately 17 lakh downloads across the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, positioning it as a significant public service tool in India. Beyond residential security, the application serves as a centralized hub for various law enforcement services. The department credits the high adoption rate to a simplified user interface designed to streamline public interaction with police resources.

Source: The Hindu — National

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/kerala-residents-adopt-digital-surveillance-tool-to-protect-vacant-homes-2c4av
Reported from: The Hindu — National