Reduce auto burglaries by sticking with your 9 p.m. Routine
To curb automobile break-ins at your home, the Kingsport Police Department and the Kingsport Neighborhood Commission wants to remind everyone to perform these four simple acts before going to bed each night.
Be sure to get into your “9 p.m. Routine” by doing the following every night:
- Make sure your driveway is well lit
- Remove all valuables from your vehicles
- Lock your vehicle doors
- Secure your garage doors
By performing these four easy steps, you greatly improve your chances of not being a victim of auto burglary and vehicle theft.
“It only takes a few minutes and could make the difference between keeping your valuables and losing your vehicle,” said Corporal Brandon Johnson with the Kingsport Police Department.
The KPD reported 551 vehicle break-ins during 2022 and 447 within the past year. Nearly every auto burglary and vehicle theft reported to KPD, the vehicle had been left unlocked, often with the key inside and valuables left in plain sight.
If the door is locked, thieves will move on to another vehicle and will only break a window if they can see valuables inside the vehicle.
“These criminals did not use any specialized tools, skills or high-tech gadgetry to access these vehicles. They simply opened unlocked doors,” Johnson added. “Which is why we’re asking everyone to follow their 9 p.m. Routine. It can make a huge difference in making sure you’re not a victim of a crime.”
