Provo Police Encourage Residents To Prevent Crimes With Nightly Routine

PROVO, Utah — With the arrival of springlike weather, more people are spending time outside. Police warn this is the time of year they see an uptick in property crimes.

“There is a bag on the front seat right there and a backpack in the seat back there,” said Officer Brooke Fox with the Provo Police Department.

Officer Fox said she sees bags left out in parked cars every day, making easy targets for criminals willing to break in and rummage for valuables.

“They come over and they look really quick, and then they pull the handles. If they see something right there, it’s an opportunity,” she said.

She was checking a neighborhood in Provo with student off-campus apartment complexes south of BYU, where police often get frantic calls about stolen items.

“Students don’t lock their cars. They leave valuables in their cars, or they’ll leave their front door unlocked because they have roommates coming in and out,” Officer Fox explained.

So in recent weeks, officers with Provo’s community policing unit have been leaving friendly reminders, anytime they see an opportunity for a thief.

“If there (are) any valuables that are visible or unlocked… we try to educate people through these (cards),” she said.

Provo Police @ProvoPolice say it is a simple routine and a habit they believe will help to stop property crimes. We will tell you about the #9PMRoutine tonight on @KSL5TV at6. pic.twitter.com/SHEKmxdYxJ

— Sam Penrod (@KSLsampenrod) March 18, 2019

Provo police say the effort is paying off, particularly in student apartment complexes south of campus that have traditionally been an easy target for thieves.

Police are using social media this week to promote what they call the 9 o’clock routine.

“Which means (at) 9 p.m., you go out and check your doors – your vehicle, your front door – check your valuables. Make sure your windows are closed right before you go to bed,” she said.

Police said in other communities in the country where people have made the 9 o’clock routine part of their lives, crime rates have dropped.

“If you want to keep your valuables, make sure (your doors are) locked. We want to keep you safe as well, so making sure you are locking your doors so no one can break in and steal your items and cause harm to you,” Officer Fox said.

Officials said they hoped the suggested 9 p.m. routine was simple advice people will follow.