2017-025 - Authorizing the Extension of the Grant to the Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority for continuation of the North Texas Auto Theft Task Force

Home Browse Search

by the Task Force unless contacted and requested by the Sheriff ?s Office. The Task Force is commonly called by Red River County, Hopkins County, Fannin County and Hunt County for assistance with auto theft cases to include trailer thefts as well. The Task Force is contacted on most, if not all, of the vehicle arson cases in the counties adjacent to Lamar County including Hunt County. The Task Force is also called on by the Texas Department of Public Safety from time to time when they have a burned vehicle they need identified either by it being involved in an accident or criminal activity. The Task Force maintains a bait vehicle for deterring auto theft and auto burglaries and also makes use of a bait trailer set up with a tracking device to arrest trailer thieves which is common in our coverage area. The Task Force commonly attends public events in Hopkins, Lamar, and Hunt County and sets up a booth distributing information on auto theft and auto burglary. Finally, the Task Force regulates the tow companies in Paris by reviewing and approving their city tow license application each year, monitoring their vehicle storage facilities and checking their abandon vehicles as they come in to their care. The Task Force also handles complaints that are received on the tow companies. 3.3 Functions of the Proposed Program Related to Motor Vehicle Burglary and Theft Prevention The Task Force plans to conduct at least (S) five public awareness events throughout the grant cycle. This includes distributing materials to remind citizens in the coverage area to lock their vehicle and protect there property by taking basic theft prevention steps. The Task force plans to release at least (S) five press release on information concerning the auto theft and auto burglary problem in our coverage area. This may also include success stories documenting and promoting cases of individuals arrested for auto theft and burglary or cases in which the Task Force provided a public service to the communities in our coverage area. ABTPA Task Forces are required to collaborate across judicial boundaries and to develop regional strategies to implement funded activities. Describe how the applicant staff and jurisdiction will coordinate with other agencies and jurisdictions in the implementation of this program. 3.4 Collaboration Effort The Task force routinely is contacted by law enforcement agencies to assist with investigations at the agencies request. In the current fiscal year the task force has assisted HOPKINS, HUNT, FANNIN, RED RIVER, TITUS and DELTA counties on cases that they have requested assistance. Most of the time the cases involve identification of burned vehicles, but other cases do come in and the task force always assist in whatever manner we are asked. For instance, recently TITUS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE contacted the Task Force about a case concerning (3) three stolen classic cars that were obtained by fraudulent checks. TITUS COUNTYfound out on of the cars was headed to the DFW area and needed assistance. The task force assisted by obtaining the vehicle identification number for the stolen car that TITUS COUNTY could not do because the title information was held at the bank and this was late on a Friday afternoon. The information was obtained and TITUS COUNTY was able to immediately enter the car as stolen. The Task Force then contacted the TARRANT COUNTY TASK FORCE who was able to locate the stolen vehicles and other stolen property. In this case the Task Force worked solely on the phone to recover stolen