The RCMP is bringing the 9 p.m. Routine, an international crime prevention initiative, to Nova Scotia.
The 9 p.m. Routine was created in 2017 by the Pasco County Sheriff's Office in Florida and has since spread to police forces across the United States and Canada. It encourages residents to protect themselves and their loved ones from becoming victims of crime by locking and securing their homes and vehicles every night at 9 p.m. The initiative also encourages people to lead by example and share through social media that they have completed the routine using the hashtag #9PMRoutine.
"The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to start a good habit and the 9 p.m. Routine is all about the habit of protecting yourself, your loved ones and your community from victimization," says Cpl. Jennifer Clarke of the Nova Scotia RCMP. "By following the 9 p.m. Routine, you're showing potential offenders that you won't tolerate property crime in your neighbourhood."
Crimes against property can often be crimes of opportunity. For example, if a potential thief happens upon an unlocked car with keys or a wallet on the seat, they are likely to open the car door and take what's inside. By simply removing those valuables from your vehicle and locking it, you can help prevent crimes of opportunity and avoid waking up to find your keys, wallet, or even your car missing.
The 9 p.m. Routine has a few simple steps:
- Remove keys, wallets, cash, garage door openers and other valuables from vehicles.
- Ensure vehicle and home windows are shut (and locked, if possible).
- Close and lock doors on vehicles and homes.
- Close overhead garage doors.
- Turn on outside lights.
- Post that you've completed the #9PMRoutine on social media and tag Nova Scotia RCMP.
RCMPNS will be sharing 9 p.m. Routine reminders regularly on Facebook and Twitter. Help protect your family, friends and community by following the 9 p.m. Routine to show potential offenders you won't tolerate property crime in your neighbourhood. Help spread the word using the hashtag #9PMRoutine and tagging RCMPNS on Twitter and Facebook to let us know you've completed the routine.
As Nova Scotians, we're always up for a good challenge. Let's show the other communities participating in the 9 p.m. Routine what we're serious about protecting our communities by securing our property against theft.