Chief's Blog - Parsons Police Department
By Chief Robert Spinks
The 9 PM Routine: A Simple Habit That Prevents Crime
Every community wants to feel safe. In Parsons, Kansas, we are fortunate to live in a place where neighbors still look out for one another and where the police department works closely with citizens to prevent crime before it happens. One of the simplest and most effective crime-prevention habits any household can adopt is something called the 9 PM Routine.
It takes less than five minutes each evening, but it can prevent many of the most common crimes we see across the country.
What Is the 9 PM Routine?
The 9 PM Routine is a national crime prevention campaign that encourages residents to conduct a quick nightly security check of their homes and vehicles. The concept began with law enforcement in Pasco County, Florida in 2017 and has since spread to police departments across the United States and Canada.
The goal is simple:
Make your home and property a harder target for criminals.
Most property crimes - especially thefts from vehicles and burglaries - are crimes of opportunity. Criminals are often simply looking for the easiest target. Unlocked cars, open garages, or valuables left in plain sight create opportunities that offenders exploit. The 9 PM Routine reminds residents to take a moment each evening to remove those opportunities.
The Five-Minute Checklist
At 9:00 PM each night, take a quick walk through your property and check the following:
🔒 Lock vehicle doors
Many vehicle burglaries occur simply because the vehicle was left unlocked.
🚗 Remove valuables from your car
Wallets, firearms, purses, electronics, tools, and garage door openers should not be left in vehicles.
🏠 Lock doors and windows on your home
Even in small communities, unlocked doors can invite crime.
🚪 Close and secure garage doors and sheds
💡 Turn on exterior lighting
Good lighting reduces hiding places and deters criminal activity.
📦 Bring in packages, bikes, and tools
🚨 Activate alarm systems or security cameras
These simple steps can significantly reduce theft and burglary risks.
Why It Matters in Communities Like Parsons
Small communities are not immune to crime. In fact, property crimes often occur in quiet neighborhoods because offenders believe residents are less likely to lock doors or secure property.
Across the country, police departments consistently report that a large percentage of theft-from-vehicle cases involve unlocked vehicles.
When someone walks down a street pulling on car door handles, they are not breaking into cars. They are simply checking for unlocked ones.
That is why the 9 PM Routine works.
It removes the opportunity.
And when opportunity disappears, many crimes never occur.
Crime Prevention Is a Community Partnership
One of the most important principles in modern policing is this:
Police cannot prevent crime alone.
Crime prevention works best when citizens and law enforcement work together. Programs like the 9 PM Routine empower residents to play a direct role in protecting their homes and neighborhoods.
When thousands of households in a community take a few minutes to secure their property every night, it changes the environment for criminals. It tells them:
This is not an easy place to commit crime.
Make It a Family Habit
The best way to adopt the 9 PM Routine is to make it part of your nightly schedule.
Many families:
• Set a phone alarm for 9:00 PM
• Ask children to help check doors or lights
• Make it part of the nightly routine before bed
Reporting Suspicious Activity
Crime prevention also includes reporting suspicious activity. If you see something unusual in your neighborhood:
🚨 Emergency: Call 911
📞 Non-emergency Parsons Police number is 620-421-7060
Five Minutes That Can Prevent a Crime
The 9 PM Routine reminds us that crime prevention often comes down to simple habits.
- Lock a door.
- Turn on a light.
- Bring valuables inside.
These small actions send a powerful message that our community is paying attention.
And when communities pay attention, crime has a harder time finding opportunity.
Tonight at 9 PM, take a few minutes to check your home and vehicles.
You might prevent a crime before it ever happens.
