Police departments across the country post every night to remind people to do the 9PM Routine.
The 9 PM Routine is a simple yet effective practice that encourages residents to establish a nighttime routine focused on safety and security.
Theft can happen anywhere at any time.
Simply set a reminder at 9 PM to do the following:
Lock Your Doors: Ensure that all exterior doors, including your front door, back door, and garage door, are securely locked. This helps prevent unauthorized entry into your home.
Close Your Garage: If you have a garage, close it before bedtime. An open garage is an invitation for theft or unwanted access.
Secure Valuables in Your Car: Remove any valuable items from your car and lock it. Don’t leave purses, electronics, or other valuable belongings visible through the windows. In 2023, Mentor Police responded to 45 theft-from-vehicle calls – in most cases, vehicles were left unlocked.
Turn On Exterior Lights: Illuminate the outside of your home by turning on porch lights, pathway lights, or any other outdoor lighting. Well-lit areas deter potential intruders.
Activate Alarms and Security Systems: If you have a home security system, make sure it is armed. Activate alarms, motion sensors, and any other security features you have in place. If you haven’t invested in a video surveillance system, consider doing so. There are several inexpensive systems available on the market with motion activated cameras that save video directly to the cloud.
It’s no secret that thieves look for easy targets. By incorporating these simple steps into your nightly routine, you can make a big difference in protecting your home and belongings and reduce the risk of preventable crime.
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The idea of "9PM Routine" is to encourage people to take a few simple steps every night at 9 p.m. to help prevent theft and keep their homes and vehicles safe. Burglars are criminals of opportunity. The easier it is to burglarize your home without getting caught, the more likely they are to commit the crime. If you make burglarizing your house a bit more difficult, you reduce the likelihood of your house getting hit.