The City of Portage la Prairie is rolling out the 9 p.m. Routine this summer, joining a continent-wide crime prevention initiative that urges residents to take nightly steps to safeguard their property.
Mayor Sharilyn Knox highlights the program’s focus on simple, proactive measures like locking doors, removing valuables from vehicles, and securing outdoor equipment to deter theft during peak activity months.
Summer safety steps in detail
Running through social media channels, the campaign outlines five key actions for residents every night at 9 p.m.:
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Remove valuables from vehicles and yards.
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Lock vehicle doors.
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Remove keys from ATVs and outdoor equipment.
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Lock all exterior doors.
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Leave a light on outside.
Mayor Knox stresses the program’s role in reducing opportunities for crime.
“When you remove valuables from your vehicles, lock your car and your homes, what you’re doing is removing those easy opportunities for criminals to commit crimes and steal your property,” she says. “Nothing feels worse than to be victimized in that way. Doing your part to lock your stuff up helps.”
The city’s social media campaign includes nightly reminders, interactive posts, and prize draws to encourage participation.
“We are doing it on our social media where you can follow along, engage with our posts, and have an opportunity to win some prizes,” Knox adds.
Timely focus for summer months
With warmer weather increasing foot traffic and outdoor activity, the program aims to curb seasonal spikes in theft.
Knox says the initiative fosters collective responsibility, noting that, “The 9:00 PM routine is not a Portage la Prairie idea, but it is a program that happens around North America. We all play a role in crime prevention.”