AZ. Auto Theft Authority News & Updates
March 2010
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Events Planned for 5th Annual Auto Theft Prevention & Awareness Week –
March 1-6, 2010
The AZ. Auto Theft Authority, in partnership with Arizona law enforcement
agencies, will host the 5th Annual Auto Theft Prevention & Awareness Week in an
effort to promote auto theft & burglary prevention in Arizona.
Avondale Police Dept - Auto Theft Prevention & VIN Etching Event – Saturday,
March 6th – 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM - City of Avondale Civic Center - 11465 W. Civic
Center Dr. Avondale, AZ. 85323
Bullhead City Police Dept – Auto Theft Prevention & VIN Etching Event Thursday, March 4th – 3:00 – 6:00 PM at Bullhead City PD Justice Complex 1255 Marina Blvd., Bullhead City, AZ.
Chandler Police Dept. - Open House & VIN Etching Event – Saturday, March 6th
– 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM - Chandler PD Main Station 250 E. Chicago Street.
Marana Police Dept. - Auto Theft Prevention & VIN Etching Event – Saturday,
March 6th – 9:00 AM – 12 PM - Twin Peaks in the Safeway Plaza - 9100 block of
N Silverbell Road.
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office – Auto Theft Prevention & VIN Etching Event –
Wednesday, March 3rd – 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM - Safeway Store - 107th Avenue
and Bell Road
Scottsdale Police Dept. - Auto Theft Prevention & VIN Etching Event – Saturday,
March 6th – 9:00 AM – 12 PM - Kohl's Parking Lot - 8680 E. Raintree Drive
South Tucson Police Dept. - Auto Theft Prevention & VIN Etching Event –
Saturday, March 6th – 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM - Food City - 2950 S. 6th Avenue,
South Tucson, AZ. 85713

Tucson Police Dept (Auto Theft Unit) and Target – Auto Theft Prevention & VIN
Etching Event – Wednesday, March 3rd – 9:00 AM – 12 PM - A.M. to 12 noon
Target Store - 6500 E. Grant Road Tucson, AZ.
Youngtown Police Dept. - Auto Theft Prevention & VIN Etching Event – Friday,
March 5th – BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. PLEASE CALL # 623 974-3665
BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8:00 AM - 12 NOON AND 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM TO
SET UP APPOINTMENT PRIOR TO FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2010. - Youngtown
Police Department - 12038 Clubhouse Square.
The AATA will host a series of VIN etching clinics (By appointment) on Tuesdays
& Thursdays during March at our office - 1400 W. Washington Street. Please
contact Val Ahumada at 602 364-2887 to reserve your space.
Visit the AATA’s Calendar of Events on our website- www.azwatchyourcar.com
Arizona’s Bait Car Program Celebrates Seventh (7th) Year Anniversary
Arizona’s Bait Car program celebrates its seventh year milestone this week and
officials credit the program to helping drive down Arizona’s auto theft rate to its
lowest level since the mid-1990’s, according to the Arizona Automobile Theft
Authority.
Arizona’s Bait Car program began as a pilot project in 2003 by a handful of
Valley law enforcement agencies then soon expanded across the state using
grant funds from the Arizona Auto Theft Authority (AATA) with vehicles donated
by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and its member companies.
NICB President and CEO Joe Wehrle stated, “NICB joins in congratulating the
Arizona Auto Theft Authority and all Arizona law enforcement bait car users.
NICB and its member insurance companies have supplied a number of these
vehicles and they continue to prove their value in the fight against vehicle theft.”
“This proactive, joint partnership strategy has proven to be a successful law
enforcement tool in Arizona and is one of several programs to be credited for
auto theft being down 40% since the program launched in February 2003,” stated
Brian R. Salata, AATA Executive Director. “We commend our law enforcement
partners for their innovation and dedication to reducing Arizona’s auto theft rate
with their successful Bait Car programs.”
Bait cars are used by law enforcement agencies across the United States and
Canada and have proven to be an effective tool in Arizona’s auto theft reduction
strategy. The Bait cars are deployed in strategic locations by law enforcement
agencies. After a bait car is stolen, the location of the vehicle is monitored by
police dispatchers through GPS tracking. Cameras and audio tapes are
activated when the vehicle is entered; the dispatcher will coordinate a police
response and once officers are in position, the vehicle and thief can be stopped.

Hundreds of car thieves have taken the bait in the past seven years; case
prosecutions have a 99% conviction rate.
For additional information about Arizona’s Bait Car Program, visit AATA’s
website - http://www.azwatchyourcar.com/Projects_and_Programs/bait_cars.asp.
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