Denver, Colo. (November 16, 2018)
- Coloradans Against Auto Theft (CAAT) was recently recognized for its successful efforts to combat auto theft through public awareness and prevention education by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) at the annual IACP Conference in Orlando, Florida, held October 6-9, 2018. CAAT, a statewide coalition of law enforcement agencies, insurance and community partners, was honored with the 2018 IACP Leadership in the Prevention of Vehicle Crimes Award. Before more than a thousand international public safety professionals, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol Colonel Matthew Packard was on hand for the event as the award was handed out.
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Pictured from left to right: IACP immediate Past President, Louis M. Dekmar; Vice President of Sales, Julio Valcarcel, Leonardo; Financial Officer, Jurree Scherrer, Coloradans Against Auto Theft; Program Director, Robert Force, Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority; and IACP 2nd Vice President and National Security Policy Council Chair, Cynthia Renaud
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The Leadership in the Prevention of Vehicle Crimes Award was created for law theft prevention alliances worldwide to showcase the results of their theft prevention and/or enforcement programs, and how they successfully curbed vehicle theft in their jurisdiction.
CAAT's "Lockdown" campaign was selected as the 2018 recipient based on initiative, use of available resources and overall results in reducing auto theft through public awareness and education.
Lockdown pairs public engagement from law enforcement partners with advertising, social media, public relations and safety events to create public awareness on the dangerous crime of auto theft and how citizens can help prevent their cars from being stolen. The campaign's effectiveness depends on an ongoing, multi-faceted coalition working with law enforcement that is committed to changing public attitudes and behavior to help combat theft.
With the significant rise in Colorado auto theft, and the serious crimes associated with it,
Colonel Packard says the IACP award reinforces the need for citizen engagement and auto theft prevention. "The partnership between law enforcement and the communities we serve is as important today as any other time in history." says Packard. "The Colorado State Patrol is extremely proud of CAAT and its outstanding work that has resulted in Colorado being recognized as an international leader in motor vehicle crime prevention."
Carole Walker
, Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association and CAAT chair
adds, "Strong partnerships, community outreach and a comprehensive, ongoing public awareness campaign-this powerful combination is how CAAT's statewide coalition has zeroed in on auto theft prevention over the past decade. Recognition from IACP is especially meaningful as it demonstrates the value law enforcement places on public education and prevention."
CAAT is funded by the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority (CATPA), a statutory grant program that supports law enforcement, prevention and training programs through the collection of $1.00 for every insured vehicle. For more information about auto theft in Colorado, visit www.lockdownyourcar.org and the "Lockdown Your Car" Facebook and Twitter pages.
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.
- 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).
About 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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