Car break-ins are climbing in the Land O' Lakes area, and the Pasco Sheriff's Office wants residents to lock up before bed.
The agency posted a public advisory on X and Facebook on Thursday, Aug. 13, warning that it is seeing an increase in auto burglaries and reminding residents to follow the nightly #9PMRoutine.
The routine is simple: each night before 9 p.m., remove all valuables from your car, close the windows and lock the doors.
The campaign originated with the Pasco Sheriff's Office and has since spread to law enforcement agencies nationwide, according to the Florida Sheriffs Association.
Recent break-in near San Antonio
The warning comes weeks after a July 28 incident in which a suspect entered multiple vehicles on Osprey Peak Way in San Antonio, a community just north of Land O' Lakes. The suspect stole property from at least one vehicle around 12:30 a.m., according to a PSO Facebook post seeking the public's help.
He was described as a short, thin white male wearing black sweatpants, a black long-sleeve Champion shirt, black shoes, a black face mask and an olive green backpack. That case remains open under case number 26026555.
Why it works
The logic behind the routine is straightforward. The sheriff's office says that when criminals cannot quickly access a vehicle, they are more likely to move on to the next target. Locked doors and empty seats take away the easy opportunity.
The PSO has not released specific numbers on how many burglaries have occurred or which neighborhoods are most affected. The Aug. 13 advisory said only that the trend is increasing in the agency's coverage area.
How to report
Residents who spot suspicious activity or have information about vehicle break-ins can:
- Call the Pasco Sheriff's Crime Tips Line at 1-800-706-2488
- Submit a tip online at pascosheriff.com/tips
- Call the non-emergency line at (727) 847-8102
- Call 911 for emergencies
