MADISON COUNTY, ALABAMA, Ala. — Madison County Sheriff’s Office posted on their social media platforms a list of daily things people can do to ensure their house is safe.
It's called #9PM Routine, and it lists things for homeowners to do like locking their house, cars and removing valuable belongings from their vehicle.
Make the #9PMRoutine part of your evening to protect yourself & your property.
Every night at 9 PM ask yourself 3 simple questions:
Did I remove my valuables from the car?
Is my car locked?
Is my house/garage/bike/shed locked & are the outdoor lights on?
Madison County Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Brent Patterson said there is no increase in theft in the area, but it's important to share these tips before something could happen.
“We are trying to get the public to do something simple, so, at the end of the day or the next morning it is a huge dividend for them,” said Patterson.
He said homeowners should never leave items like guns, purses or jewelry in their car. By following these tips, you can help protect yourself and your belongings.
"We want the public to understand that it is a crime of opportunity a lot of situations that we see the crimes we see with vehicles they go through unlocked doors and when you go through an unlocked door you happen to find things in there than the next day your homeowners go, 'man, I would have locked that door or why didn’t I do this,'” Patterson said.
Madison County Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson, Brent Patterson, along with an ALEA state trooper also shared what to do on the road during severe weather.
They said that all drivers must either turn on their bright or emergency lights during severe weather.
"it is Alabama state law that you have to have your headlights on at all times and so you know that is something that is that a lot of counties enforce that rule," said Patterson.
For more information about the rules of the road, Patterson said to review the driver's license manual created by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.