NCJ Number
58237
Date Published
1978
Length
146 pages
Annotation
A COMPENDIUM IS PROVIDED OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF A NATIONAL WORKSHOP--SPONSORED BY THE NEW YORK STATE SENATE AND FUNDED BY LEAA--TO ESTABLISH TASK FORCES ON A STATE AND REGIONAL BASIS TO COMBAT AUTO THEFT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
Abstract
THE OBJECTIVE OF THE WORKSHOP WAS TO BRING TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME ON A NATIONAL LEVEL THE PRINCIPAL PARTIES CONCERNED WITH THE AUTO THEFT PROBLEM. INCLUDED WERE STATE LEGISLATORS, FEDERAL OFFICIALS, MOTOR VEHICLE ADMINISTRATORS, STATE AND LOCAL POLICE, STATE AND FEDERAL PROSECUTORS, AUTOMOBILE DISMANTLERS, AUTO REPAIR SHOP OPERATORS, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF INSURANCE COMPANIES, SCRAP PROCESSORS, AND AUTO MANUFACTURERS. WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS ATTEMPTED TO REACH A CONSENSUS ON PRACTICAL MEASURES THAT COULD BE TAKEN TO REDUCE SIGNIFICANTLY THE INCIDENCE OF AUTO THEFT IN THE U.S. THE WORKSHOP WAS DIVIDED INTO FIVE PLENARY SESSIONS, FOUR OF WHICH WERE FOLLOWED BY SMALL GROUP WORK SESSIONS. TOPICS OF THE PLENARY SESSIONS INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING: (1) THE AUTO THEFT PROBLEM; (2) LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INVESTIGATIVE PROBLEMS, (3) LAWS AND REGULATIONS RELATING TO VEHICLE TITLING AND SALVAGE CONTROL PROCEDURES, (4) PROBLEMS IN THE ADJUDICATION OF AUTO THEFT VIOLATIONS, AND (5) THE ROLE OF PRIVATE INDUSTRY IN HELPING TO CURB AUTO THEFT. THREE MAIN ADDRESSES WERE DELIVERED BY MEN WHO COMBAT AUTO THEFT AT THE STATE LEVEL. THE COMMISSIONER OF THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL TOLD OF ACTIVITIES TO COORDINATE A COMPREHENSIVE MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT PREVENTION EFFORT. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMITTEE OF THE NEW YORK STATE SENATE STRESSED THE FACT THAT MANY MOTOR VEHICLES WERE STOLEN BY PROFESSIONAL THIEVES AND THAT CONTROL OF THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN STYMIED BECAUSE THERE IS NO EASY WAY TO IDENTIFY PARTS STRIPPED FROM AN AUTO. THE CLOSING ADDRESS BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ILLINOIS OUTLINED INITIATIVES TAKEN IN THAT STATE TO COMBAT AUTO THEFT AND EMPHASIZED THE NEED TO WIN PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR MEASURES DESIGNED TO REDUCE SUCH THEFT. (KBL)