HUDSON — Parents traveling outside this Akron suburb are inviting police to drop by and make sure the kids are behaving.

        The Hudson Police Department started “Operation Check-Up” to allow police to enter a resident's home, with the owners' consent, to break up parties.

        “This program is for the mom and dad who go out of town and their son, who is a sophomore at OSU, comes home unexpectedly and throws a party,” said Hudson Police Chief Jim Brown, who started the program.

        Residents sign a form that allows any Hudson police officer to act as an “interim guardian” of their homes during an absence ranging from eight hours to several weeks. They also must give the police a key to their home.

        Hudson, a city of about 22,000, had 43 drug- and alcohol-related arrests of teen-agers in 2000 and 82 in 2001.

        Critics warn it may create liability problems for police.

        Tom Hensley, chairman of the Kent State University political science department, said that police officers are within their rights to enter a home with consent.

Erpenbeck partied while company imploded
Freedom Center searches for slave-era artifacts
Freedom Center breaks ground Monday
PULFER: Freedom Center our chance to reclaim good name
UC sophomore crowned Miss Ohio
Over-the-Rhine school struggles to shape lives
Cincinnati CAN urges mentoring of at-risk kids
SMITH AMOS: Last chance to provide public input
Big cities feeling picked on by state
BRONSON: Top complaint about cops: 'There aren't enough'
Diverse crowd celebrates emancipation
Falwell's speech focuses on dignity
Local Digest
Residents give river a clean sweep
Special breed featured at dog show
Congrats
DeWine assesses nation's security in wake of 9-11
Travelers giving police keys to house
Presbyterians elect new leader
Race revs up fans
Teacher content standards lag
Fund-raiser searched for alcohol
LG&E faces charges in deaths
Maysville rep named Miss Kentucky
Poison ivy covers most of Kentucky
Wilkinson undergoes treatment