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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
John Henry
, Coloradans Against Auto Theft, Colorado State Fair Media Contact (call for onsite interviews/booth location), 719-433-3025 (Cell)
Annie Coghill
, 303-547-6692, Coloradans Against Auto Theft
Carole Walker
, Coloradans Against Auto Theft Chair, 303-790-0216 / 303-601-8437 (Cell)
Twitter:
@StopAutoTheftCO
Facebook:
@ColoradansAgainstAutoTheft
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Coloradans Against Auto Theft Drives Home Auto Theft Prevention Message at State Fair
"Kilo Car" Demonstrates Connection Between Auto Theft and Other Crimes
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Denver, Colo. (August 28, 2018)
- Coloradans Against Auto Theft (CAAT) brings the "Kilo Car" to the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo as part of its summer auto theft prevention awareness efforts. From August 24-September 3, the Kilo Car will be on display at the fairgrounds to help educate citizens about heightened crime associated with auto theft. The Kilo Car is based on a frequently stolen vehicle, rebodied with materials that look to be different types of drugs, representing the shocking truth that auto theft is a precursor crime and a significant safety concern for the whole community.
The "Lockdown Your Car" campaign, supported by grant funding through the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority (CATPA), reminds drivers not to make themselves an easy target for car thieves.
Carole Walker, Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association and CAAT chair,
explains the Kilo Car display serves as a conversation
starter to inform Coloradans about the domino effect that can occur when a car is left unlocked. "
The Kilo Car was created with help from our various law enforcement partners to educate Coloradans about the importance of simply locking their car to deter auto thieves.
It's an attention-getting visual to demonstrate how auto theft is a tool to commit additional crimes."
According to Colorado's Auto Theft Intelligence Coordination Center, auto theft is on the rise across Colorado - up 8% from 2016 to 2017, and stolen cars are frequently used in the commission of other crimes such as armed robbery, identity theft, home invasion and drug offenses.
The data tells the story of auto theft in Southern Colorado.
- Rural auto theft is up almost 22% from 2016 to 2017. (ATICC)
- Pueblo has the third highest rate of auto theft in the nation per capita. (NICB)
- Pueblo has been in the top 7 nationwide three years in a row. (NICB)
The Kilo Car will be on display in the Palace of Agriculture for the duration of the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo, August 24-September 3.
Top Five Colorado Cities for Auto Theft in 2017 (ATICC):
- Denver
- Colorado Springs
- Aurora
- Pueblo
- Lakewood
Top 10 Stolen Vehicles in Colorado in 2017 (ATICC):
- Honda Civic
- Honda Accord
- Subaru Impreza
- Ford F-250
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Jeep Cherokee
- Ford F-350
- Ford F-150
- Dodge Ram Pickup
- Subaru Legacy
Auto Theft Prevention Tips: Stay One Step Ahead of Thieves
- Lock your car doors: It's the number one thing you can do to protect your investment.
- Take your keys with you: Treat your keys like cash.
- Establish a "key" routine: Designate a place inside your home for keys (kitchen, mud room).
- Don't leave keys in your vehicle, even in a locked garage.
- Turn off the engine when you're not in your car: Don't offer your truck for the taking.
- Secure your property: Make sure your garage or storage area is securely locked.
- Protect personal and financial information: Remove checkbooks, receipts, etc.
CAAT Coalition Partners
Colorado auto theft task forces, made up of regional law enforcement agencies, Colorado State Patrol and other motor vehicle safety and insurance partners, are a part of CAAT's coalition to decrease auto theft during this peak season.
- CATPA Metropolitan Auto Theft Team (CMATT)
- Beat Auto Theft Through Law Enforcement (BATTLE)
- Colorado Attorney General's Auto Theft Prosecution Initiative
- Colorado Auto Theft Investigators (CATI)
- Colorado Auto Theft Intelligence Coordination Center (ATICC)
About Coloradans Against Auto Theft (CAAT):
CAAT is a statewide auto theft prevention initiative to raise awareness about the problem and educate the public on what they can do to reduce their chances of falling victim to auto theft. CAAT is part of a coalition of law enforcement agencies, the Colorado State Patrol, the Colorado Auto Theft Investigators (CATI), insurance partners, LoJack and AAA Colorado. CAAT and the state auto theft task force efforts are funded in part by the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority (CATPA).
CATPA is a state authority that was established by Colorado statute in 2003 to help reduce Colorado's serious auto theft problem through the award of grant funds. The Colorado law helps ensure that auto theft prevention efforts are targeted. These efforts have resulted in an increase in stolen vehicle recoveries and criminal prosecutions of major organized criminal groups, as well as related crimes.
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Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association is a non-profit consumer information organization that represents property & casualty insurers in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. RMIIA has been serving consumers and the media since 1952.
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