Automobile Theft Prevention Authority
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
TASK FORCE HIGHLIGHTS, Continued Michigan Automobile Theft Prevention Authority 2002 Annual Report to the Governor and Legislature of the State of Michigan AUTO THEFT PREVENTION TIPS S Close the vehicle windows completely, lock the doors, and take the keys with you whenever you leave your vehicle. S Never hide a second set of keys in your vehicle. Keep the spare key in your wallet or purse. S Don’t leave your vehicle running, even if you will be gone for less than a minute. S If you have a garage, park your vehicle inside and lock both the garage and the vehicle. S Put all your valuables in the trunk where thieves cannot see them. S Park in a well-lighted area when it is dark, and park near the entrances of buildings. S Park with the vehicle’s front wheels turned sharply to the right or left, and set the emergency brake. That makes it very difficult to tow the vehicle. S Have the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etched into the vehicle’s glass. S Park in attended lots. S Never leave the registration, title, or insurance certificate in the vehicle. Carry the registration and certificate in your wallet or purse, and file the title safely at home. S Drop your business cards or other identification inside the vehicle’s doors, under the back seat, and behind the dash. S Activate any anti-theft device that you have installed on the vehicle when unoccupied. For More Information, Please Contact: Michigan Automobile Theft Prevention Authority Michigan State Police 714 South Harrison Road East Lansing, Michigan 48823 PH: 517/336-6197 FAX: 517/336-6427 www.miatpa.org This report of the Michigan Automobile Theft Prevention Authority is published as required by Public Act No. 174 of 1992. Not Paid For With State Funds. TABLE OF CONTENTS 2002 ATPA Annual Report Table of Contents……………………………………………… 1 Board of Directors and Staff………………………………… 2 Report from the Chair………………………………………… 3 History and Description……………………………………… 4 Overview of ATPA Activity…………………………………… 5 Task Force Highlights…..……………………………………. 6-8 National Theft Data……………………………………………. 9-10 Michigan Theft Data…………………………………………… 11-13 Michigan Most Stolen………………………………………… 14 2002 ATPA Grant Performance………..……………………. 15 2003 Grant Awards……………………………………………. 16 Officers Supported by ATPA………………………………… 17 Financial Statement…………………………………………… 18 2002 Insurance Company Assessments………………….. 19 2003 Program Contacts………………………………………. 20 Public Act 174 of 1992………………………………………… 21-23 Page 1 – 2002 ATPA Annual Report 2003 Board of Directors and Staff Automobile Theft Prevention Authority The ATPA operates under a Board of Directors appointed by the Governor. By law, the board includes the Director of the Department of State Police and representatives of law enforcement, the automobile insurance industry, and purchasers of automobile insurance. Director, Michigan State Police Colonel Stephen Madden ATPA Chair Representing Law Enforcement Officials Chief Jerry Oliver Captain Michael McCabe Detroit Police Department Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Representing Purchasers of Automobile Insurance Valerie Knol Brenda Schneider Marketing Manager First Vice President Johnson Controls, Inc. Director, Business & Development Services Comerica Bank ATPA Vice Chair Representing Automobile Insurers Thomas Packla Steven Wagner Section Manager Vice President, Product Management State Farm Insurance Companies AAA Michigan Staff Valdis Vitols, Executive Director David Tjepkema, Program Coordinator Chalouy “Newt” Shoup, Auditor Nonda Beebe, Departmental Technician Cindy Stoneham, Secretary Page 2 - 2002 ATPA Annual Report To the Governor and Honorable Members of the Michigan Legislature: On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Michigan Automobile Theft Prevention Authority, it is a pleasure to present our Annual Report. I am proud to convey that auto theft was down again in 2001. This is the 13th reduction in the last 15 years. Since the Authority’s inception, auto theft in Michigan has decreased over 27%, while auto theft for the same period nationally has increased a fraction. This consistent reduction has been accomplished through a comprehensive program involving cooperation among all levels of government and the private sector. This includes multi-jurisdictional law enforcement task forces, prosecutors, neighborhood groups, and insurance companies. This partnership exemplifies how a cooperative effort can impact a serious problem. The board will continue to monitor effective programs and provide resources to those initiatives that can attain significant outcomes in the fight against auto theft. We can take pride in the efforts of the men and women who have contributed to Michigan achieving a lower level of auto theft than a quarter century ago. This past year marked our 16th year of operation, and the success we have enjoyed has served as a model for other states to follow. On a personal note, I will be retiring soon and will be leaving the ATPA. I am confident that the Authority will continue to build upon their working partnerships in the coming year, and thus further efforts that will curb auto theft in Michigan. Sincerely, Col. Stephen D. Madden CHAIR Page 3 – 2002 ATPA Annual Report THE ATPA History and Description History In the mid-1980’s, Michigan had the highest auto The ATPA has five staff members at Michigan State theft rate in the nation. Members of the Michigan Police headquarters in East Lansing. They conduct Anti-Car Theft Campaign Committee (ACT) financial and performance audits on each program developed a concept that would combine the efforts throughout the year and prepare reports for the board. of law enforcement, communities, and business against auto theft. ATPA board members are liaisons sharing crucial information with key state and national officials. In 1986, Michigan’s Governor and Legislature decided to try the ACT Committee’s idea. So began Finally, ATPA board members and staff are involved one of Michigan’s most effective weapons against in long-range planning. Regular meetings, including crime: the Automobile Theft Prevention Authority. an annual strategic planning session, provide updated goals and objectives for fighting auto theft. Since then, the ATPA has led the way in reducing auto thefts in the state. Stretching Resources A Successful Experiment Since its inception in 1986, funding for the ATPA has remained relatively constant. However, the cost The ATPA was established with a sunset provision of the ATPA funded programs has increased. For the that automatically abolished the program unless it past 16 years, the activities of the ATPA have drawn was renewed by the Legislature. The purpose of the from these fixed resources in the most efficient and sunset was to ensure that the program, created as an effective manner. experiment in law enforcement, was doing its job as intended. In order to stretch ATPA funds, the board requires grantees to provide matching funds for their anti-theft In 1992, the Legislature and Governor agreed that the efforts. In 1993, grant recipients were required to ATPA should become a permanent state agency. The provide 12.5% of total program costs. That match legislation was passed overwhelmingly in both the was increased to 25% beginning in 1994 and has House and Senate. become a hard match for 2002. How the ATPA Works Bucking the Trend The ATPA is funded by an annual $1 assessment on From 1986 to 2001, auto thefts in Michigan dropped each insured noncommercial passenger vehicle, plus over 27%. During that same time period, national interest earned by investing those funds. thefts decreased for awhile but are now above 1986 levels. National and state officials have agreed that It is governed by a seven-member board of directors the ATPA is a major reason for Michigan’s decline in appointed by the Governor which includes auto theft. representatives of law enforcement, automobile insurers, and consumers of automobile insurance. As a direct result, major Michigan auto insurers’ average rate of comprehensive premium, relative to Each year the board awards grants to law other states, has been reduced. The $1 investment by enforcement agencies, prosecutors’ offices, and owners of non-commercial passenger vehicles has nonprofit community organizations. These grant earned a good return of $28. programs prevent auto theft, catch auto thieves, and put the thieves in jail. Page 4 – 2002 ATPA Annual Report 2002 OVERVIEW OF ATPA ACTIVITY theft investigators. They are 1) Identifying and 2) ATPA Website During 2002, the ATPA website was revised. The site address is www.miatpa.org. This will take Investigating the Stolen Motor Vehicle, and 3) you to the Michigan State Police home page; then Heavy Equipment and Motorcycle Theft. These click onto the ATPA portion on the left side. The videos will be made available for distribution by site provides historical and current data, as well as the ATPA in early 2003. being interactive with ATPA grantees and the general public. ATPA Grant Hearings Board members participated in the 2003 grant Innovative Grant Program hearings on November 7, 2002, in Dearborn. The second year of a 2-year project was Total grant requests were $10.1 million. Final implemented in 2002: a special southeast approved budgets totaled $8.4 million, with an Michigan training program in auto theft ATPA share of $6.3 million. The applicants recognition for road patrol officers. appearing before the board included: 1) all new grant requests, 2) current grants with significant The board introduced this program in order to changes, and 3) grantees that had not appeared stimulate original ideas and creative programs to before the board in the past few years. Utilizing a combat auto theft. These one-time grants, with streamlined and enhanced grant review process, funding up to 100%, are outside the norm of the the board completed the grant hearings and regular grant process. The applicant can submit a deliberations by mid-afternoon. A total of 43 brief concept paper that addresses five specific different agencies received funding. criteria areas. There is not a set deadline for submission, and projects can be more or less than Insurance Fraud $avings the usual one-year grant period.