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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Annie Coghill
, on behalf of Coloradans Against Auto Theft, 303-547-6692
Carole Walker
, Coloradans Against Auto Theft Chair, 303-790-0216
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Looking for Black Friday Steals?
So Are Car Thieves.
Coloradans Against Auto Theft Encourages Drivers to Lockdown Their Car
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Denver, Colo. (November 27, 2019)
- Coloradans Against Auto Theft ( CAAT), along with law enforcement and insurance partners, has a warning for drivers this Black Friday: Lockdown your car to prevent thieves from ruining your holidays.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Thanksgiving is one of the top 10 holidays for auto theft.
Carole Walker, Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association and CAAT chair explains: "Auto theft is a crime of opportunity. Shoppers often stash packages in their cars while they run errands - thieves know this. They lurk in parking lots, looking for an easy steal. We're reminding drivers to play it safe with a few easy tips, starting with 'lock your car.'"
During cold winter weather, CAAT also reminds drivers to take precautions when warming up their vehicles.
Thieves cruise neighborhoods searching for cars running unattended in front of apartments, businesses and homes. "Puffing" a car
not only opens up drivers to auto theft, but is also illegal in Colorado.
Top Five Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Auto Theft During the Holidays
- Running Errands? Hide packages in your trunk before arriving at each destination so you don't tip off thieves.
- Got fobs? Take them with you. And don't keep a spare set of keys in the car.
- Holiday party after work? Leave your laptop safely at the office, or keep it with you in the restaurant.
- Need a warm up? On cold winter days, make sure you warm up with your car.
- Always lock your car door. It's the easiest thing you can to do protect yourself and your property.
Walker adds that protecting cars from theft helps keep the community safer. "Thieves don't stop with your car; they loot valuables, purses, garage door openers, and personal info from your glovebox - putting you and your family at risk for crimes such as home burglary or identity theft."
Useful links:
Interview Opportunities:
To request a media interview, please contact Annie Coghill at 303-547-6692 or
[email protected]
CAAT, CATI and CMATT are 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.
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, including the Colorado State Patrol, the Colorado Auto Theft Investigators (CATI) and insurance partners. In 2018, Coloradans Against Auto Theft (CAAT) was honored with the Leadership in the Prevention of Vehicle Crimes Award for successful efforts in combatting auto theft through public awareness and prevention education by the
International Association of Chiefs of Police
(IACP). 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 grant helps ensure that auto theft prevention efforts are targeted, and has resulted in an increase in stolen vehicle recoveries and criminal prosecutions of major organized criminal groups.
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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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