ARIZONA AUTOMOBILE THEFT AUTHORITY March 2003 Newsletter The Arizona Automobile Theft Authority’s Annual Summit on Vehicle Theft – February 7, 2003 On February 7th, the AATA hosted its Summit on Vehicle Theft at the Holiday Inn in Phoenix. The one-day Summit was attended by approximately 150 representatives from 35 different law enforcement, criminal justice, insurance and state agencies throughout Arizona. Also in attendance were out of state guests from Colorado and Sonora, Mexico. Mexican law enforcement officials receive special recognition award. Pictured left to right: Sgt. Terry Starner, Chief Alfonso Novoa, Director General Carlos Vega, Mikel Longman and Director General Manuel Hoyos. AATA Board Members Sheriff Ogden, Chief Hurtt, Dean Butler and Deputy Chief Scott Freeman for Sheriff Arpaio. The Summit included an AATA Board of Directors meeting, presentations by several grant agencies on best practice approaches to vehicle theft prevention and enforcement, an awards luncheon, and an AATA 2003/2004 grant program workshop. Several exhibitors attended to display their products and distribute product information to Summit attendees. Continued on next page INSIDE THIS ISSUE AATA Relocates to Capitol Mall Area • AATA Summit on Vehicle Theft • Sheriff Arpaio joins AATA Board of Directors • IACP Award for Task Force On March 7, 2003, the AATA moved into a new office location at 1400 W. Washington Street, Suite 270 Phoenix, AZ 85007. The new AATA office location provides a significant cost savings and brings the Agency into the Capitol Mall area, which is closer to essential state agencies and services. • 2002 Award Recipients • Meet the AATA Board of Directors – Spotlight on Ms. Ellen Poole • 2003 Board of Directors Meeting Schedule New main office number is 602 364-2886 (AUTO) New fax number is 602 364-2897 New Agency e-mail address is aata@aata.state.az.us AATA web site address will remain the same – www.azwatchyourcar.com. Statewide toll-free number to remain the same – 1-888-668-4433 1-888-NO-THIEF Arizona Automobile Theft Authority Maricopa County Sheriff Joseph Arpaio appointed to AATA Board of Directors The Arizona Automobile Theft Authority is pleased to announce that the Arizona Sheriffs Association appointed Sheriff Joseph Arpaio to the AATA Board of Directors in February 2003. Sheriff Arpaio occupies the second Sheriff position on the AATA Board, representing a county with a population of five hundred thousand or more persons. Sheriff Joseph Arpaio Maricopa County Sheriff Welcome, Sheriff Arpaio – we are glad to have you on board. • AATA Annual Summit Mr. Ralph Lumpkin, NICB, Area 3 Director, makes presentation during Summit. Task Force Awarded 2002 IACP Award The Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force was awarded the 2002 Vehicle Theft Award of Merit by the IACP (International Association of Chiefs of Police) and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) for their outstanding efforts to reduce vehicle theft. The Task Force received this prestigious award during the 109th Annual Conference in Minneapolis in October 2002. Arizona Department of Public Safety Director, Dennis Garrett accepted the award on behalf of thenLieutenant, Mikel Longman and the entire Task Force. (Continued from page 1) The AATA was honored to have several special guest speakers in attendance including Arizona State Senator, Marilyn Jarrett, Mr. Ralph Lumpkin, Area 3 Director with the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), and Ms. Lynette Evans, Policy Advisor to Governor JanetNapolitano. These presenters provided opening remarks and valuable information to Summit attendees on current auto theft trends in Arizona, the Nation and the World. AATA Volunteers Linda Longman and Mary Louise Boelhauf assist at Summit registration table. The Summit was made possible by support from Allstate Insurance Company, Associated Highway Patrolmen of Arizona, Farmers Insurance Company, Manheim Auctions, Mark N Gard, Inc., and State Farm Insurance Company. The AATA also wishes to thank Linda Longman, Lori Martin, Mary Louise Boelhauf, and Greg Tolliver for their assistance with Summit preparation and attendee registration. 1-888-668-4433 Arizona Automobile Theft Authority Detective Grant Eaton, Glendale Police Department, 2002 Auto Theft Detective of the Year. Sergeant Richard Maiocco, Officer Eric Breindl, and Officer Bob Cummins, Phoenix Police Department, Co-Recipients of 2002 Patrol Officer of the Year. Detective Jeff Himmelstein, ADOT - Motor Vehicle Division, 2002 Special Investigator of the Year. Detectives, Robert Butler and Travis Feyen, Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force, Co-Recipients of 2002 Task Force Officer of the Year. Ms. Kathy Groenewold, Tempe Police Department, 2002 Crime Prevention Specialist of the Year. AATA Recognizes 2002 Award Recipients Arizona Department of Transportation – Motor Vehicle Division, 2002 Outstanding Government Partnership of the Year. Phoenix Police Department’s Valley H.E.A.T. Project, 2002 Special Law Enforcement Project of the Year. The AATA’s outstanding law enforcement, government and private sector partners were honored at an awards ceremony luncheon as part of the Summit on Vehicle Theft. The award recipients have all demonstrated outstanding accomplishments and innovative approaches to combating auto theft in the State of Arizona. Allstate Insurance Company, 2002 Outstanding Private Sector Partner of the Year. Mesa Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit, 2002 Public Awareness and Community Education Unit of the Year. Tucson Police Department/Pima County Task Force, 2002 Law Enforcement Unit of the Year. Detective Matthew Deal, Phoenix Police Department, 2002 Outstanding Community Service. Mr. Brian Salata, Pinal County Attorney’s Office, 2002 Prosecutor of the Year. The Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force also recognized Mary Leroy, Bruce Gentillon, and Mark McGuffin of Farmers Insurance Company, along with Christi Billquist and Matt Reed of State Farm Insurance Company for their outstanding support of the Task Force’s criminal investigation, “Operation Wounded Jaguar.” Arizona Automobile Theft Authority www.azwatchyourcar.com Meet the AATA Board of Directors – Ms. Ellen Poole, Public Member Ms. Poole has been a member of the AATA Board of Directors since 1999. She occupies one of two public member positions on the AATA Board. Ms. Poole also serves as Chairperson for the AATA Public Awareness Subcommittee. In October 2002, Ms. Poole accepted a position with USAA Insurance as Executive Director, Southwest Region Government Liaison. Prior Janet Napolitano Governor AATA Board Chairman Mr. Michael Payne State Farm Insurance Company Vice Chairman Sheriff Ralph E. Ogden Yuma County Sheriff Sheriff Joseph Arpaio Maricopa County Sheriff Mr. Dean C. Butler Farmers Insurance Group The Honorable William J. Ekstrom Mohave County Attorney Director Dennis Garrett Department of Public Safety Mr. Alberto Gutier Public Member Chief Harold L. Hurtt Phoenix Police Department to joining USAA Insurance, Ms. Poole was Executive Vice President for the Arizona Banker’s Association. She previously served three years as a legislative research analyst for the Arizona State Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. Ms. Poole also practiced law with the law firm of Lewis and Roca. Ms. Poole earned her law degree from George Washington University and holds two Bachelor degrees from Virginia Tech. Thank you, Ms. Poole for your continued support and dedication to the AATA as we continue our efforts in combating vehicle theft in the State of Arizona. Ms. Ellen Poole Public Member The Honorable Richard M. Romley Maricopa County Attorney Chief Daniel G. Sharp Oro Valley Police Department Director Stacey K. Stanton Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division AATA Staff Mikel Longman Executive Director Paul Boelhauf Administrative Services Officer Ann Armstrong Public Information Officer Arthur Myer Fiscal Services Specialist Elisa Laurita Administrative Assistant 2003 AATA Board of Directors Meeting Schedule February 7, 2003 AATA Summit on Auto Theft April 11, 2003 AATA Grant Programs June 20, 2003 Review of Agency Operational Plan August 15, 2003 October 10, 2003 Audit Report December 12, 2003 1. Election of Board Members 2. Appointment of Board Subcommittee Assignments 3. Legislative Issues All Meetings Begin at 10:00 AM at the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority. Above dates and agenda items are subject to change up to 24 hours in advance of the meeting. All meetings are posted in compliance with A.R.S. §38431.02. Arizona Automobile Theft Authority 1400 W. Washington Street, Suite 270 Phoenix, Arizona 85007 TEL (602) 364-2886 FAX (602) 364-2897 E-mail aata@aata.state.az.us 1-888-668-4433 An Equal Employment Opportunity Agency