A r i zo n a A u t o m o b i l e Theft Authority www.azwatchyourcar.com December 2005 Arizona Automobile Theft Authority Announces New Executive Director—Enrique Cantu Enrique Cantu began his position as Executive Director with the AATA on October 17, 2005. Mr. Cantu comes to the AATA from the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections, where he served as a DJ Investigator and Intelligence Officer. He is a retired Captain from the Washington State Patrol, where he served twenty-six (26) years before re-locating to Arizona in 2003. Mr. Cantu holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Evergreen State College and has over thirty years of public sector experience. Mr. Cantu is looking forward to being a part of the many programs and initiatives currently underway by the Authority as well as spearheading several new strategies to continue the State’s Inside This Issue • Welcome New AATA Executive Director, Enrique Cantu • AATA Reports Auto Theft Decrease for 2004 • Welcome New AATA Board Members, Brian Garrett, Barbara LaWall & Director Roger Vanderpool • Meet the AATA Board of Directors – Spotlight on Stacey Stanton • Farewell to Former AATA Executive Director, Mikel Longman and AATA Board Chairman, Michael T. Payne • Upcoming 2006 Events – Save the Date! efforts in combating auto theft. “My goal is to work in a collaborative fashion with our diverse community in order to significantly impact the auto theft rate in the State of Arizona. I look forward to promoting the AATA’s mission,” stated Enrique Cantu. Enrique Cantu, AATA Executive Director Statewide Auto Theft Awareness Day Planned for March 4, 2006 The AATA, in partnership with the Gilbert Police Department Crime Prevention Unit, statewide law enforcement agencies, and Clear Channel Radio Broadcasting, will host a statewide Auto Theft Awareness Day on March 4, 2006. Participating agencies throughout the State will host auto theft prevention and/or free Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etching events this day in an effort to increase awareness about auto theft while providing residents with the necessary tools to help protect their vehicles. In addition, Governor Janet Napolitano will sign a Proclamation designating March 4th as Auto Theft Awareness Day. For more information about the events in your area, visit the AATA's website at www.azwatchyourcar.com. Page 2 A r i zo n a A u t o m o b i l e T h e f t A u t h o r i t y Arizona Experiences Decrease in Auto Thefts for 2004 According to statistics from the FBI’s 2004 Uniform Crime Report (UCR), Arizona experienced a decrease in its vehicle theft rate in 2004. In Arizona, there were 55,306 vehicles reported stolen during 2004, which reflects a 3.0% decrease in the theft rate from 2003. This reduction represents the second straight year Arizona has realized a decrease in its auto theft rate. Arizona now ranks fourth (4th) in the nation in actual number of vehicles stolen, and dropped down to third (3rd) place in the country for vehicle thefts per capita, behind Washington, D.C., and Nevada. In addition, the UCR statistics show there were more than 1.2 million motor vehicle thefts in the United States in 2004, with an estimated value of approximately $8.4 billion dollars. The AATA credits the reduction to several programs and initiatives coordinated by the Agency in recent years as well as statewide law enforcement agencies and the public taking steps to prevent vehicle theft. The AATA’s criminal justice, insurance, and community partners also deserve recognition for their continued support and assistance. Thank you to Mikel Longman for his distinguished service to the AATA The AATA Staff and Board of Directors wishes to express its sincere appreciation to former AATA Director, Mikel Longman for his outstanding service to the AATA from 2001 – 2005. Mr. Longman was instrumental in instituting several program and initiatives aimed at reducing auto theft in Arizona as well as addressing global issues related to auto theft. Mr. Longman left the AATA to serve as Chief of the Criminal Investigations Bureau at the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Congratulations, Mikel and thank you for your dedicated service and leadership. Thank you to Brian Salata for his service as AATA Interim Executive Director Thank you to Brian Salata, Vehicle Theft Unit Bureau Chief for the Pinal County Attorney’s Office, for serving as the AATA Interim Director from April – October 2005. Mr. Salata helped assure programs and initiatives received the necessary support while also ensuring a seamless transition during the Agency’s search for a new Executive Director. Brian Salata (left) receives plaque of appreciation from Sheriff Ogden. Farewell to AATA Board Member—Michael Payne Mr. Michael Payne, former AATA Board Chairman was appointed to the AATA Board of Directors in 1999 and served as Board Chairman from 2001 – 2005. Mr. Payne recently resigned from the AATA Board following an out of state job relocation. The Staff and Board of Directors greatly appreciate Mr. Payne’s many years of dedicated service as we worked together to reduce auto theft in Arizona. AATA Staff and Board members wish Michael Payne (center) a fond farewell. Page 3 December 2005 Brian L. Garrett, State Farm Insurance Company On December 9, 2005, Governor Napolitano appointed Brian Garrett to the AATA Board of Directors. Mr. Garrett will serve out the remainder of Michael Payne’s term until January 2007. Mr. Garrett has been with State Farm Insurance Company since 1982 and is currently the Section Manager of the Special Investigative Units in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. Welcome, Mr. Garrett – we are glad to have you on board! Barbara LaWall, Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall has been a member of the AATA Board of Directors since April 2005. She occupies the County Attorney position on the AATA Board, representing a county with a population of five hundred thousand or more. Ms. LaWall, currently in her third elected term as Pima County Attorney, first assumed office in 1996 as the first woman to be elected Pima County Attorney. Director Roger Vanderpool, Arizona Department of Public Safety In March 2005, Governor Napolitano appointed Roger Vanderpool as the Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Director Vanderpool is the former Pinal County Sheriff; twice elected Sheriff. Prior to being first elected Sheriff, Director Van- derpool served 20 years with DPS and had been a police officer in Indiana. Director Vanderpool is a U.S. Army veteran having served in Germany. He currently serves on over 40 different state boards and commissions. Meet the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority Board of Directors—Stacey K. Stanton Stacey Stanton, Director of the Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division, has been a member of the AATA Board of Directors since 1999 and has been instrumental in supporting several programs and partnerships between the AATA and MVD aimed at reducing auto theft and educating Arizona residents about vehicle theft prevention. Thank you, Director Stanton for your continued support and dedication to the AATA as we continue our efforts in combating vehicle theft in the State of Arizona. Arizona Automobile Theft Authority Save the Dates –Upcoming Events in 2006 Mark your calendars - The AATA will be hosting the following events in 2006: • 2006/2007 AATA Grant Workshop on Feb. 23, 2006 – 10:00 a.m., at the ADOA Building – 100 N. 15th Avenue, 3rd Floor Conference Rooms. • Auto Theft Day at the State Capitol – (Tentative) March 2, 2006 – 11:00 am • Auto Theft Prevention Day – Saturday, March 4, 2006 - Statewide • 2006/2007 Grant Applications due March 31, 2006. • Law Enforcement Subcommittee Meeting (Grant Review) –April 14, 2006 - 10:00 a.m., at the ADOA Building – 100 N. 15th Avenue, 3rd Floor Conference Rooms. • Public Awareness Subcommittee Meeting (Grant Review) – April 14, 2006 – 1:00 p.m., at the ADOA Building – 100 N. 15th Avenue, 3rd Floor Conference Rooms. • 4th Annual Summit on Vehicle Theft – May 11, 2006 – 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at the South Mountain Environmental Center – 10409 S. Central Avenue in Phoenix, Arizona. Visit the AATA’s website at www.azwatchyourcar.com for additional information. 1400 W. WASHINGTON SUITE 270 Janet Napolitano Governor PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85007 Phone: 602-364-2886 Fax: 602-364-2897 E-mail: aata@aata.state.az.us www.azwatchyourcar.com Toll Free: 1-888-668-4433 An Equal Employment Opportunity Agency AATA Board Vice Chairman Sheriff Ralph E. Ogden Yuma County Sheriff Sheriff Joe Arpaio Maricopa County Sheriff Sergeant Joe Brosius Public Member Dean C. Butler Farmers Insurance Brian Garrett State Farm Insurance Company “Stop The Fast Break To Auto Theft” PSA Now Available The Tempe Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit through grant funding from the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority (AATA), and collaboration with several community partners, has produced a 30-Second public service announcement (PSA) titled, “Stop the Fast Break to Auto Theft.” The PSA features the voice of the Phoenix Suns, Al McCoy along with a captivating basketball theme, aimed at educating the public about the high risk of auto theft. To view and/or download the PSA, visit the AATA’s website at www.azwatchyourcar.com. 2006 Board Meeting Schedule January 13, 2006 March 10, 2006 May 19, 2006 July 21, 2006 September 22, 2006 November 17, 2006 All meetings begin at 10:00 a.m., at the ADOA Building at 100 N. 15th Avenue, 3rd Floor Conference Rooms, unless otherwise noted. Chief Sherry Kiyler Chandler Police Department Barbara LaWall Pima County Attorney Robert Carter Olson Pinal County Attorney Ellen Poole Public Member Chief Daniel G. Sharp Oro Valley Police Department Director Stacey K. Stanton Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division Director Roger Vanderpool AZ. Dept. of Public Safety AATA Staff Enrique Cantu Executive Director Paul Boelhauf Deputy Director Ann Armstrong Public Information Officer Arthur Myer Fiscal Services Specialist John Rares Almasan Program and Project Manager