9 P.M. Routine

Burglaries and thefts are often crimes of opportunity with thieves taking advantage of unsecured doors and windows to steal items left unattended or out in plain view. In July 2019, the Arlington County Police Department joined police departments throughout the country in a public safety campaign, originally launched by the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, aimed at promoting crime prevention strategies to reduce and prevent thefts from vehicles and homes. The campaign, known as the 9 P.M. Routine, encourages residents to conduct security checks at their homes and vehicles each evening to ensure their property is secure.

Participating in the 9 P.M. Routine

Set a reminder and at 9 P.M. each evening, ensure the following tasks have been completed:

• Vehicles, residences, garages, windows, gates, sheds have been locked
• Exterior lights, security cameras, alarm systems have been activated
• Valuables from vehicles (including keys), yards, patios have been brought inside

By participating in the 9 P.M. Routine, residents can help reduce the opportunity for residential burglaries and thefts.

Printable Flyer PDF(PDF, 285KB) | Image(JPG, 361KB)

Report Criminal Activity to Police for Investigation

Arlington County Police officers proactively patrol Arlington’s neighborhoods to identify and prevent criminal activity. The department’s efforts are enhanced by the active involvement of residents. When residents call to report criminal activity, they aid not only the police, but help make their neighborhoods a safer place to live and work. Community members observing in-progress criminal activity should contact the Emergency Communications Center at 703-558-2222 or dial 9-1-1 in an emergency.