Tipp of the Week-The 9 P.M. Routine

Hello, Tipp City! Marc the Cop here, 

With the recent tragedy that our community has suffered through, I wanted to talk about the 

9 P.M. routine. 

Following the reporting of Ashley Flynn's death, I commented on the Tippecanoe Gazette's Facebook page. The comment was intended to instill calm among the people during the process of investigating a homicide scene. 

“Stay vigilant – Practice the 9 p.m. routine.” That comment sparked several questions as to what the 9 P.M. routine was. Here is a review of last summer's article explaining the program.

Tipp City has that small-town charm, but please don’t be fooled. The criminal element is here in our quaint little city. When I was working, a typical response from my good people was, “I'd share a criminal act, kind of a fill-in-the-blank,” and the response was, “In Tipp City??”

Yes, it happens in Tipp City. We get all the “big city” crimes; fortunately, we don’t get them every day. It never ceased to amaze me how some folks would leave their keys in their car, along with expensive items such as laptop computers, purses, cell phones, and even firearms! One citizen I had mentioned that he was a crack head’s best friend by leaving his keys in the car. Now I know that was not very nice of me; however, the message is the same. We must be proactive in securing our personal property.

I spoke with Captain Tony Smith of the Tipp City Police Department. Captain Smith shared with me the department's initiative to promote and implement the “9 P.M. Routine.”

The “9 P.M. Routine” is a public safety initiative designed to help prevent vehicle and home theft by encouraging individuals to secure their property every night at 9 p.m. 

A little history of the program, initially launched by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, shows that the routine has since spread across the United States and Canada as a simple, proactive way to reduce crimes of opportunity.

The concept is straightforward: at 9 p.m. each night, residents are reminded to go through a quick checklist to ensure the safety of their belongings and property. 

The typical 9 P.M. routine includes locking all car doors, removing valuables from vehicles, securing garage doors, locking the home's exterior doors and windows, turning on outside lights, activating any security systems, and making the 9 P.M. Routine a nightly habit for citizens. Remember, it takes about three weeks to create a new habit. So initially, it has to be practiced to be proficient.

Criminals often target neighborhoods where they can easily steal items from unlocked cars or open garages. Most of these crimes happen overnight and are committed by individuals walking through neighborhoods, checking door handles, or peering into vehicles. The 9 P.M. Routine works because it takes advantage of timing—many thefts occur late at night when people are asleep or distracted.

This routine empowers community members to play an active role in crime prevention. It is especially effective in suburban and urban areas where vehicle theft is common. Encouraging consistency turns good habits into a daily ritual, like brushing your teeth before bed.

Statistics show that neighborhoods that participate in the 9 P.M. Routine often see a drop in petty theft. Remember to take packages inside, report suspicious activity, and keep porch lights on.

While it may seem minor, the cumulative effect of many people following this practice can significantly reduce crime rates. It also encourages increased awareness and neighborhood involvement, which can deter criminal behavior altogether.

The 9 P.M. Routine is a simple yet powerful way to safeguard your home and property. A few minutes each night spent locking up and checking security can protect you from being an easy target. As law enforcement continues to promote this campaign, it serves as a helpful reminder that safety begins at home, with a routine that starts at nine.

Captain Smith has designed a free reminder to help you practice your nine o’clock routine. The Tipp City Police Department offers free magnets available for pickup during business hours. This handy reminder will help the department deter crime in your neighborhood.

That is all for this week! Please be safe and care for one another. 

I'll see you in church on Sunday!

Sgt. Marc Basye (Ret.)

Do you have a suggestion for the Tip of the Week? Your input is valuable to us. You can email me at Marcthecop@tippgazette.com!

The opinions and statements in this column are those of the author, who is not affiliated with any law enforcement agency. This column is for entertainment purposes only. Persons referred to may be fictional for comedic purposes only.