Do you follow the ‘9 p.m. routine’?

The “9 p.m. routine,” created in 2017 by a sheriff’s office in Florida, is “a nightly reminder to residents to remove valuables from their vehicles, lock their vehicle doors, lock the doors to their residences, turn on exterior lights, and activate all alarms and security systems,” the North Miami Police Department says.

Law enforcement believes following this routine will make it harder for criminals to burglarize vehicles and homes.

At 9 p.m. every day, you should:

• Lock all vehicles, residences, garages, windows, gates and sheds.
• Secure or bring inside your tools, bikes, keys and other valuables.
• Activate exterior lights, security cameras and alarm systems.

If you observe any suspicious activity, contact your local police department.