An initiative to cut back on crime and keep guns out of the hands of criminals is taking off in Jacksonville. It's called the #9PMRoutine.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is using social media to remind people to lock their car doors and take guns and valuables inside.
The #9PMRoutine is spreading across social media including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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“It was something that other agencies we saw were doing, and it was a trend that was going on social media, and we thought, 'Hey, why not,' and it can only help,” said JSO public information officer Melissa Bujeda.
Now, JSO is following suit. Bujeda said officers are noticing a trend of thieves checking out unlocked vehicles, looking for guns. Bujeda said those stolen guns are fueling crime in the city.
“All they’re doing is pulling on your door handle. If it’s open, they’re going to go through your car,” Bujeda said.
This problem is not just in one area, but all over Jacksonville.
“This is happening, this is happening all over. It’s not just one side of town where you can look the other way and it’s not going to happen,” Bujeda said.
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One woman who doesn’t want to be identified tells Action News Jax her truck was stolen Monday morning. She said JSO found her car after someone crashed it into a pole and took off. It’s a lesson she said she’s learning the hard way, after forgetting to lock up her truck.
“We’re usually one to faithfully lock our doors, and I just happened to miss one night. Lock your vehicles. It just takes that extra second to make sure you’re doing what you got to do to protect your stuff,” Bujeda said.
JSO is not the only agency in our area using this method. Commander Chuck Mulligan with St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said that agency has a similar program into place.
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