NCJ Number
57251
Journal
Security Distributing and Marketing Volume: 5 Issue: 3 Dated: (MARCH 1975) Pages: 18-19,50-51
Date Published
1975
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A SEMINAR WAS HELD BY THE MARRIOTT CORPORATION IN LOS ANGELES, CALIF., TO DISCUSS AUTOMOBILE AND TRUCK THEFT AND DEVICES AVAILABLE TO DETER IT. VEHICLE ALARM SYSTEMS AND ANTITHEFT EQUIPMENT WERE DEMONSTRATED.
Abstract
THE NEED FOR VEHICLE PROTECTION IS EVIDENCED IN THE CONTINUED RISE IN AUTOMOBILE THEFT DESPITE IMPROVEMENTS IN VEHICLE SECURITY SYSTEMS AND IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS. THE MOST POPULAR STOLEN MAKE OF CAR IN THE UNITED STATES IS THE 1964 OR 1965 CHEVROLET, AND THE REASON FOR THIS IS POOR SECURITY ENGINEERING BY THE MANUFACTURER. ALTHOUGH STATISTICS ON VEHICLE THEFT ARE HIGH, THIS TYPE OF THEFT IS OFTEN GIVEN LOW PRIORITY BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS. AN ADDITIONAL PART OF THE PROBLEM INVOLVES MINIMAL SENTENCES HANDED OUT BY THE COURTS IN AUTOMOBILE THEFT CASES. ON THE POSITIVE SIDE, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME FAVORABLE DEVELOPMENTS RELATED TO VEHICLE THEFT. GENERAL MOTORS INCREASED ITS KEY CHANGES FROM 74 TO 2,000. IN 1969, THE AUTOMOBILE AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION CAME UP WITH A THREE-WAY LOCK. ALL PASSENGER CARS SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES IN THE EARLY 1970'S HAVE SERIAL PLATES VISIBLE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD, MAKING IT EASIER FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO IDENTIFY STOLEN CARS. DERIVATIVE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN STAMPED ON ENGINES AND TRANSMISSIONS OF ALL PASSENGER CARS FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES. COMPUTERIZED SYSTEMS, INCLUDING THOSE OF THE NATIONAL CRIMINAL INFORMATION CENTER IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AID LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN IDENTIFYING STOLEN CARS. THE LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT NOTES TIPS ON PROTECTION AGAINST AUTOMOBILE THEFT: (1) BUY CAR FROM A LEGITIMATE DEALER; (2) DO NOT HIDE SPARE KEYS UNDER THE CARPET OR OVER THE VISOR; (3) DO NOT LEAVE KEYS IN THE CAR WHEN IT IS PARKED ON THE STREET; (4) GARAGE THE CAR AT NIGHT AND LOCK THE GARAGE; (5) WHEN VISITING AT NIGHT, PARK IN A LIGHTED AREA CLOSE TO A CORNER FOR MAXIMUM EXPOSURE TO POLICE PATROL; (6) CALL THE POLICE IF A STRANGE CAR IS PARKED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR SEVERAL DAYS; AND (7) INSTALL THE MOST RELIABLE ALARM SYSTEM POSSIBLE. OTHER TOPICS STRESSED AT THE SEMINAR WERE VEHICLE SECURITY EQUIPMENT, INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS, LOCATION AND CLIMATE IN RELATION TO THE VEHICLE ALARM BUSINESS, THE IMPORTANCE OF USER CONVENIENCE, AND THE NEED FOR CONSTANT PROTECTION. (DEP)