AZ. Auto Theft Authority News & Updates
October 2009
AATA Welcomes New Executive Director
Brian R. Salata joined the AATA Team on September 1st. Salata comes to
the AATA with a wealth of knowledge about the agency after having served as
the Interim Director for a short time in 2005. He established the first Auto Theft
Prosecution Unit in Arizona with the Pinal County Attorney’s Office where he
prosecuted countless felony auto theft cases. Salata has been serving as the
Legal Advisor to the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI)
since 2003 and remains committed to national and international auto theft issues.
Please join us in welcoming Brian Salata to the AATA.
ARIZONA PUTS THE BRAKES ON AUTO THEFTS FOR 6th STRAIGHT YEAR
- Down 25% for 2008.
According to statistics released from the FBI's 2008 Uniform Crime Report,
Arizona realized its largest double digit decrease in nearly a decade. The FBI's
Report also shows vehicle thefts across the United States down by 12.7% from
2007; the 5th consecutive year of declining vehicle thefts nationwide. Moreover,
the total thefts for 2008 are below 1 million vehicles - the lowest annual total in
over 20 years.
This is great news for vehicle owners, law enforcement and the insurance
industry,” said Brian R. Salata, AATA Executive Director. “It takes years of
sustained effort to deliver the kind of reductions that we are enjoying today.” The
AATA exists to establish, coordinate and fund activities to prevent, combat and
reduce vehicle theft in Arizona. By focusing resources in enforcement &
investigative units, prosecution efforts, and aggressive public education
programs, the AATA, in partnership with statewide law enforcement agencies,
has largely been the driving force behind decreasing auto theft in Arizona.
Although this downward trend is encouraging, Arizona still had more than 37,000
vehicles stolen last year and the problem remains a costly drain on our economy
(over $282 million in 2008) and a tremendous burden for victims.
The AATA encourages all Arizona residents to take extra precautions to secure

their vehicles through a “layered approach” to protection. The more layers on
your vehicle, the tougher it is to steal. Visit www.azwatchyourcar.com for more
tips.
AATA Budget Cuts Impact Auto Theft Reduction Programs
The AATA, in its present form, was created in 1997 by the Arizona Legislature,
with funding received from insurance companies issuing vehicle insurance
policies in Arizona. Currently, over 425 insurance companies provide a semiannual assessment (50¢ twice a year) to the Auto Theft Authority fund,
designated for statewide auto theft reduction programs. In FY's 2009 & 2010,
budget reductions have already reduced ATA auto theft programs by nearly $1
million; with additional proposed cuts possible before the end of the year. These
dedicated funds have been instrumental in reducing auto thefts in Arizona since
2003 by over 38% and are used to support auto theft programs listed below:
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The State's Auto Theft Task Force;
Police Bait Car Programs & Several Other Proactive Auto Theft Crime
Fighting Efforts;
Auto Theft (Vertical) Prosecution Programs;
Auto Theft Prevention Programs like the Watch Your Car Decal Program
& Free Window (VIN #) Etching Events, Youth and Senior Theft
Prevention Outreach Programs;
Partnerships and Resource Support to statewide law enforcement
agencies, crime prevention organizations, Blockwatch & community
groups.

Although recent declines in Arizona's auto theft rate are encouraging, authorities
remain concerned about the raiding of agency funds and that a reduction in
funding and a coordinated, statewide strategy may result in an increase in auto
thefts. The AATA will continue to identify and analyze best practices for
combating Arizona's auto theft problem and attempt to focus resources where
greatest impact will be made.
Az. Auto Theft Authority Announces Partnership with Valley Metro and
local Police Departments for Park-N-Ride Auto Burglary & Theft Prevention
Campaign
This month, the AATA, in partnership with Valley Metro, Phoenix, Mesa and
Tempe Police Departments, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau, will
launch a new auto theft & burglary prevention campaign at Light Rail and
Commuter Bus Park-N-Ride lots across the Valley. The program will provide auto
burglary & theft prevention tips and reminders to Metro transit riders during peak
travel times at targeted lot locations. The AATA is pleased to partner with Valley
Metro and the surrounding cities as a proactive approach to deterring vehicle
thefts and/or break in's.

The AATA is now on Facebook
- Join our Fan Page - Arizona Auto
Theft Authority. Check in for weekly auto burglary and theft prevention tips,
news & upcoming events.