You were encouraged to turn on your porch light, lock your vehicle, and put away all valuables.
And, you've done it again. The City of Dauphin's 9:00 p.m. routine wrapped up at the start of the month. The three-week routine aimed to make the community a safer place for everyone.
21 days of removing your valuables from your vehicle and yard, removing your keys from ATVs and farm equipment, and 21 days of leaving a light on. You all played a part.
It was the fourth annual 9:00 p.m. routine campaign, and it was the most engaging one yet.
The Tourism of Dauphin summer student created fun and creative content on Facebook and Instagram that resonated with people.
"The response from the community was tremendous. Our kickoff post alone gathered more than 25,000 views," said Lisa Gaudet. "Throughout the campaign, we saw hundreds of likes, comments, and shares. Residents were actively participating by checking in each night and letting us know they completed their routine."
While law enforcement and community organizations play a role in public safety, all residents play a part.
"Many property crimes are crimes of opportunity," added Gaudet. "If vehicles are locked and valuables aren't visible, offenders are much less likely to target them."
The main goal of the routine was to reduce opportunities for crime before they happen.
Gaudet thanks the Dauphin RCMP for their continued efforts to keep the community a safe place.
The City of Dauphin and the RCMP have a tremendous relationship, one that continues to grow.
"The RCMP were valuable partners in this campaign. We had officers conducting foot patrols in residential neighbourhoods and leaving reminder cards on unlocked vehicles," continued Gaudet. "It was a positive way to raise awareness and to remind people that crime prevention starts with simple and everyday habits."
While the campaign is over, it's not time to put your guard down. You've created the routine of turning your lights on, removing valuables, and locking your doors.
Now, it's time to continue with those great habits.
The 9:00 p.m. routine is one piece of a much larger community safety effort underway in Dauphin.
Earlier this year, the council adopted the community safety and wellbeing plan. It provides a long-term road map for improving safety and supporting vulnerable populations.
Later this month, the City will launch the downtown safety patrol initiative. It will provide a visible presence in our downtown in key public spaces.
The goal is to improve the perception of safety, support businesses and residents, connect people with services when appropriate, and address issues before they escalate.
"Initiatives like the community safety wellbeing plan, the downtown safety patrol, and the 9:00 p.m. routine all work towards the same goal," ended Gaudet. "To create a safer, healthier, and more welcoming community for all."
Stay tuned for more details on the downtown safety patrol initiative in the coming days.
