ATHOL – Since Sept. 26, the Athol Police Department has been posting online a nightly reminder called the #9PMRoutine for people to lock their vehicles and homes to prevent theft. A rash of overnight incidents have been reported in the Pinedale, Pequoig and Lenox Street areas where unlocked vehicles were entered and items taken.
“It’s just a reminder that when it gets late at night to be cognizant of the fact that cars do get entered, and for people to be aware of their surroundings,” said Athol Police Chief Craig Lundgren, who credits APD administrative assistant Kim Filieo for coming up with the idea.
Filieo noticed the Westminster Police Department had been using the reminder system, which has become a social movement, and that it has been successful. “It’s pretty much country wide,” she said.”I pitched it to Chief Lundgren because he is very committed to community policing.”
The APD has been receiving a lot of positive feedback since the first posting. One local woman started locking her car at night and has been sharing the message with others. “If you keep reminding people to do it, it becomes a habit and the statistic of the crime is supposed to go down,” Filieo said. “I figured it would be a good way to get the public involved and decrease the amount of break-ins.”
To reduce the likelihood of falling victim to property crimes:
LOCK UP your car, house, windows, garage, gates and shed, TURN ON exterior lights, security cameras and alarm system and BRING IN valuables from your car, yard, patio and porch.
Residents are asked to report any suspicious activity to the Athol Police Department by calling 978-249-3232 when it occurs.