North Texas Auto Theft Task Force offers free VIN etching
Law enforcement personnel from the North Texas Auto Theft Task Force will be in Grand Prairie, July 9 in the Kroger's parking lot, Corn Valley Road and Pioneer Parkway, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. providing FREE VIN (vehicle identification numbers) etching as a part of “Watch Your Car” month.
National studies have indicated that vehicles with etched VIN numbers are 40 percent less likely to be stolen. Additionally, some insurance companies offer reduced rates to owners of cars with VIN numbers etched on the glass.
In addition to VIN etching the local Police Departments will be registering cars in the H.E.A.T. program. H.E.A.T.(Help End Auto Theft) is a voluntary statewide registration program designed to prevent auto thefts and assist in apprehension of auto thieves. Vehicle owners sign an agreement stating that their vehicles are not normally used between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. If peace officers observe the vehicle being driven during these hours, they may stop the vehicle and verify ownership. Owners can also grant additional authority at the time of registration to have the vehicle stopped any time it is being driven across the border into Mexico or Canada.
The North Texas Auto Theft Task Force is comprised of investigators from Dallas County Sheriff’s Department, Collin County Sheriff’s Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and National Insurance Crime Bureau. The North Texas Auto Theft Task Force is funded by a grant from the Texas Auto Burglary & Theft Prevention Authority.
For any additional information, please contact Kimberlee Leach with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department 214/653-3465 or Liz Anderson 214/653-3430.
