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FUN IN THE SUN LEADS TO AN INCREASE IN AUTO THEFT HEAT® and CATS Offer Simple Tips to Keep Cars Safe LIVONIA, MI (31 March 2000) – April showers bring May flowers – and auto thieves. As the mercury rises, auto theft rates shoot through the roof, with thoughts of summer fun replacing common sense safety. Car owners – rolling down windows, opening convertible tops and enjoying the season – often forget a few simple safety rules and become more vulnerable to theft. This season, Help Eliminate Auto Thefts (HEAT ®), a statewide auto theft prevention program, which operates a confidential, toll-free tip-reward line (1-800-242-HEAT), is teaming up with the Detroit Police Department’s Commercial Auto Theft Squad (CATS) to urge drivers to remain cautious while enjoying the summer fun. "Michigan is a beautiful place to enjoy the spring and summer seasons," says Terri Miller, director of HEAT ®. But car owners have to be cautious not to let their guard down, because this is also prime time for auto thieves. By remembering a few safety rules and to call their local police and HEAT’s confidential tip-reward line if they know anything about an auto theft, we can work together to make this the safest spring season yet." Outdoor summer concerts and festivals, popular throughout Michigan, are favorite places for auto thieves, according to Lieutenant Hilton Napoleon, head of the Detroit Police Department’s CATS unit. "With the many events going on, people are generally more active when the weather gets warmer. We urge people who attend to park in well-lit areas, ideally with an attendant on duty, to discourage auto thieves." Napoleon says auto theft in Detroit has gone down 23 percent in the last two years and has already been reduced 3 percent in 2000. "HEAT̉ has without a doubt played a major part in this success. If people follow the common sense auto theft prevention tips, we can continue to combat this costly crime." HEAT̉ says don’t make yourself a target for car thieves this summer -- follow these simple safety tips:Remember to lock your doors, remove your keys from the ignition and roll up your windows when your car is parked – all common sense rules that drivers tend to ignore in warmer weather. A second layer of auto protection is recommended – such as audible alarms, steering wheel locks, theft deterrent decals and window etching – to discourage auto thieves. Never leave your running vehicle unattended – not even for a minute as you run into a store. Don’t leave valuables, such as cellular phones and planners, on the car seat. Store these items out of view. Report what you know about auto theft to your local police department and HEAT’s confidential tip-reward line, 1-800-242-HEAT. Enjoy the warm weather – but don’t sacrifice auto theft safety at the same time! Tipsters can call the HEAT̉ tip line, 1-800-242-HEAT, to confidentially report auto theft related information, including insurance fraud. Tipsters are rewarded up to $1,000 if their tip leads to the arrest and prosecution of a suspected car thief or a person suspected of auto theft related insurance fraud. Rewards up to $10,000 are issued if a tip results in the arrest and binding over for trial of a suspected theft ring and/or chop shop operators. HEAT̉ also rewards $2,000 for information leading to the issuance of a warrant for a carjacking suspect. HEAT’s hotline is monitored by the Michigan State Police and funded by Michigan auto insurance companies. Since it’s inception in 1985, HEAT̉ has awarded more than $2 million to tip callers. During that period, the HEAT̉ tip line has received 6,165 calls leading to the arrest of 2,319 suspects and has recovered 2,828 vehicles valued at more than $32 million. In 1999, the program made a resounding impact on Michigan’s fight against auto thefts. Last year, the hotline received more than 400 tips that led to the arrest of 154 suspects and the recovery of more than $2 million in stolen property.
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