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EFFECTIVE CRIME PREVENTION
THROUGH PUBLIC AWARENESS:

Auto Theft Prevention

 

By: Captain Dave Ecklund (Ret),
Fort Lauderdale Police Department

 

OPERATION RIGHT T.R.A.C.

(Tools for Reducing Auto Crimes)

 

INTRODUCTION

Incidents of auto theft are showing signs of a decrease in Florida. However, in the City of Fort Lauderdale, vehicle theft has increased in staggering numbers over the past years and continues to be a major crime problem. In 1996 over 3,300 vehicles were reported stolen, a 13% increase over 1995. During the first eight months of 1997, over 2,200 vehicles were reported stolen, showing a 30% increase in thefts over the same period in 1996.

EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS

With Florida showing a decrease statewide, why are such increases taking place?

Numerous factors contribute to this increasing problem. The incidents of auto theft in our city range from joyriding to organized theft, including theft for the use in other crimes.

South Florida has a very large metropolitan area, including Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. These three counties represent approximately 50% of vehicles stolen in the State.

Fort Lauderdale, having a major seaport for the shipment of vehicles, like Miami-Dade and Palm Beach to South America, the Caribbean, and Europe, contributes to the problem of the exportation of stolen vehicles.

Combined efforts such as Task Force operations and other auto theft initiatives are significant in the Investigation and Prosecution of Auto Theft related offenses. More large scale investigations and arrests are being made and more vehicles recovered. Crime Prevention presentations are provided to Homeowner and Business associations, as well as events such as free VIN etching for the public, several times a year. However, auto theft rates still increased.

FORMULATING A PLAN

The Auto Theft Unit was charged with providing a more proactive community based program. Who better to provide expertise on what vehicles were being stolen, who is stealing the vehicles, and how these vehicles were being stolen, than the unit who investigated these incidents on a daily basis. Protecting our citizen’s vehicles, as well as those people who visit and work in our city, had to be a consideration of the program.

Public Awareness was found to be the key to the implementation and success of the program. If the public could be made aware of the problem of Auto Theft, advised on the types of vehicles being stolen in a given area, and the Police Department assisting the community by providing tools to deter and prevent auto thefts, then steps could be taken to better protect their vehicles and prevent thefts from occurring.

A larger scale and longer term program was needed. The community had to be made aware and responsible, to a larger degree, to prevent and deter vehicle thefts.

The creation of a citywide community involved crime prevention program through the Police Department was formulated. For this program to be a success, the entire city had to become involved. As such, the program would need to educate the public to provide them with current information regarding theft trends. A means to better protect their vehicle would also need to be offered. Through the assistance of the City Commission, monies were allocated for the purchase of 3,000 steering wheel locking devices. Opportunistic thefts of vehicles would be a main focus of the program.

The Auto Theft Unit began to analyze thefts for the entire year. What vehicles were being stolen? Since all vehicles were targets of theft, the identification of the top ten vehicles stolen in our city was determined to be defined. State and National statistics are found to be outdated due to submission and reporting methods. Current statistics and theft trends had to be evaluated.

For years, General Motor’s vehicles, due to the ease with which to steal them, topped the list. With manufacturers increasing theft deterrent systems in those vehicles, they are steadily dropping in the theft rates. More popular vehicles have been, in our area, the Japanese imports.

Evaluation of the data showed similar thefts statewide and nationally. However, our top ten vehicles did find one of the most popular vehicles stolen, not on other lists available and several no longer as popular.

OPERATION RIGHT T.R.A.C. (Tools for Reducing Auto Crimes)

General

In recent years, auto theft within our City has increased in staggering numbers and requires a proactive response. The types of auto theft in our city range from joyriding to organized theft. The elimination of certain types of thefts can be achieved by forming a partnership with the community to address the problem of auto theft.

Public awareness is the key to this issue; the means to protect their vehicles is another. By making the public aware of the types of vehicles primarily stolen in our city and providing them with deterrent devises and /or alternatives for better protecting their vehicles, a realistic, proactive approach to combating auto theft can be made.

Procedural consideration shall include:

Guidelines for Implementation

Funding Considerations

Areas of Concern

Types of Vehicles Stolen

Public Awareness Campaign

City Wide Kick-off Program

Pilot Program

Program Follow Up

 

CONCLUSION

Introduction of the program began in September 1997 with it’s full implementation by December 1997. Over 4,000 steering wheel locking devices were ultimately purchased and distributed. Approximately 1,000 vehicles were VIN etched. A statistical analysis was then conducted. The results of the program, thus far, are indicating decreases in reported auto thefts within our City.

A comparison of thefts occurring from January to June 1998 (1,258 stolen vehicles), compared to thefts occurring in, during the same time frame, in 1997 (1,924 stolen vehicles) has shown a 35% decrease in reported thefts City-wide. In some areas reported thefts were down 50%. Target vehicles identified for the program showed a dramatic 48% drop compared to thefts of those vehicles reported in 1997. Monetarily it is estimated that the program may be responsible for preventing as much as six million dollars in vehicle thefts, property loss, and insurance claims.

Forming a partnership with the Community and the Police Department has shown to be the key to the success of this program.

Due to its success, other police agencies have implemented similar programs. Results of the program have further resulted in the acquisition of a grant from the Florida Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Authority for the Broward County Chiefs of Police Association. A County wide initiative is now under way as Communities get on the ‘RIGHT T.R.A.C.’

Captain Dave Ecklund
Captain Ecklund

Serving Fort Lauderdale since 1974, Captain Dave Ecklund retired in 2003. Captain Ecklund headed the Auto Theft Unit from 1988 until 1998. He was President of the Florida Auto Theft Intelligence Unit and 3rd Vice President of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators.

Captain Ecklund provides instruction in the field of Auto Theft Investigation and Prevention at the local, state, and federal level. He has provided in-service training to auto theft investigators at the FBI Academy, Quantico, Virginia. He conducts training for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in foreign countries for International Training Initiative and he conducts training for the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators at their annual training seminar.

Captain Ecklund was President of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators for 2001-2002. IAATI is an International Organization with Eight Chapters world-wide. Membership includes approximately 3,800 members from 42 Countries.

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