Constable Derek Turner shuts and locks a window during a #9PMRoutine demonstration on Thursday at Red Deer's Cronquist House. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

crime prevention checklist

#9PMRoutine aims to curb residential crime in Red Deer

May 30, 2019 | 4:53 PM

Red Deer RCMP and The City of Red Deer are rolling out a new crime prevention campaign you can take part in before climbing into bed.

The #9PMRoutine offers a batch of priority items citizens should ensure they complete before hitting the sack.

They include removing valuables and garage door openers from vehicles, locking vehicles, closing your overhead garage door, locking the door from the garage to the house, closing all exterior doors, ensuring windows are closed and locked, and turning on an exterior light.

Mayor Tara Veer calls it a home version of ‘Lock it or Lose it.’

Chad Krahn

Unofficial 2024 By-Election Results

8h ago

Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association

Lacombe farmer speaks at provincial conference about increasing rural crime and mental health strains

15h ago

April 23-May 2, 2024

Red Deer Public Schools set to launch Open House series

15h ago

“The first question citizens will present The City and RCMP with is ‘What are you doing to prevent and enforce crime?’ The second question is ‘What can I do to help?” Veer says.

“We recognize that to get ahead of the crime curve, we absolutely need to engage in crime prevention efforts. The 9 o’clock campaign really is a reminder to citizens to protect your property.”

Red Deer RCMP Superintendent Gerald Grobmeier believes keeping your property safe comes down to common sense.

“If you leave your keys in your car, it makes it easy to steal, (whereas) it makes it harder when your keys arent in there. You’re eliminating those people that are just looking for a crime of opportunity,” Grobmeier says.

“Yes, the professional car thieves will steal what they want, but this will stop the person walking down the street just checking door handles. People don’t break into cars if they’re not satisfied they’re going to get something out of it.”

The same applies to break and enters into homes and sheds, he adds.

The Central Alberta Crime Prevention Centre is excited as well about the campaign. Program Development Coordinator Janise Somer says most crime is preventable.

“We were just in Waskasoo yesterday with the ‘Hi Neighbour’ pop-up booth handing out crime prevention packages, and the thing we heard over and over was that ‘I used to leave my garage open when I was out mowing my lawn and guess what, my bike got stolen.’ It’s those kinds of things,” Somer says.

“‘And I used to leave the shed unlocked, but now we lock it.’ People learn the hard way. Instead of being reactive, this is saying be preventative.”

Citizens are encouraged to use the #9PMRoutine on social media to share that they’ve done their part.

The #9PMRoutine originated in Pasco County, Florida and is now used by police detachments across North America, including in Halifax, which is where the Red Deer detachment got the inspiration.

It was also recently launched in St. Albert and Calgary.