Police Department Rolls Out New Security Initiative Against Property Theft

Police Department Rolls Out New Security Initiative Against Property Theft

The “9 PM” Routine reminds people to lock their cars and homes and to secure their valuables. These easy steps can help citizens protect their belongings.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • Jan 28, 2019

The Hartford Police Department in Hartford, Al., is introducing a new security initiative that aims to deter criminals from committing property theft. As part of the “9 PM Routine,” the department will send out weekly reminders to citizens about securing their valuables.

“We have very few property crimes, but the ones we have are unsecured valuables and unlocked vehicles,” Hartford Police Chief Annie Ward told WSFA12 News.

On Tuesday, police responded to a report of a stolen 4-wheeler. The owner had left the keys in the vehicle’s ignition.

“I know we should be able to trust people and leave our stuff out,” Ward said. “That’s not the world we live in. You have to take an active role.”

The “9 PM” Routine reminds people to lock their cars and homes and to secure their valuables. These easy steps can help citizens protect their belongings.

“It makes a criminal’s job so much easier if they don’t have to bust out a window,” Hartford Police patrol officer Noah Cobb said.

Cobb responds to theft incidents often, and said he responded to more during his second year on the job, 2018, than he did in 2017.

“I would say it’s definitely increased for me. It’s doubled,” Cobb said. “Ten to 20 would be a good ratio.”

The majority of calls come from people who didn’t lock up their items, including weapons. Police are hoping that people will be more diligent about securing their valuables so there are fewer incidents of stolen guns to investigate.

“If someone steals your iPhone they may steal your personal information, your bank accounts. You can get your credit fixed if someone steals your social security number. If you leave a firearm inside of an unlocked vehicle there’s no telling what hands that firearm could go to,” Cobb said. “It could be used in a robbery or murder and that’s something that you can’t fix or take back. You have to live knowing that you weren’t a responsible firearm owner.”

According to the chief, the department also plans to have extra patrols out and about.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • AI to Help Resolve Non-Emergency Calls Across Utah and Decrease 911 Caller Wait Times

    The Utah Communications Authority (UCA), which oversees the state’s next generation 911 technology services, recently announced that public safety answering points (PSAPs) throughout the state plan to implement Motorola Solutions’ Virtual Response technology to automate the receipt and resolution of 10-digit non-emergency line calls in Utah with the help of AI. Read Now

  • Report: 2025 Video Surveillance Market Set to Grow After Small Decline in 2024

    Novaira Insights has unveiled its latest report, “World Market for Video Surveillance Hardware and Software – 2025 Edition.” The research indicates that the global market for video surveillance hardware and software experienced a slight decline of 0.3% in 2024. This performance fell short of previous forecasts, primarily due to a significant decrease of 7.8% in the Chinese market. Conversely, the rest of the world saw a growth of 4.9%. The global market for video surveillance equipment was estimated to be worth $25.0 billion in 2024. Read Now

  • Report Reveals Local Governments Face Surge in Ransomware Attacks with Minimal Resources

    KnowBe4, the cybersecurity platform that comprehensively addresses human risk management, recently released new research highlighting the critical cybersecurity challenges facing state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments. The report details how government organizations have become prime targets for cybercriminals while simultaneously facing severe resource constraints. Read Now

  • Video Surveillance Trends to Watch

    With more organizations adding newer capabilities to their surveillance systems, it’s always important to remember the “basics” of system configuration and deployment, as well as the topline benefits of continually emerging technologies like AI and the cloud. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities