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9/1/2021
<br />MVCPA Taskforce Grant Negotiation
<br />throughout the State of Texas and Oklahoma. The task force detectives use several approaches to combat auto theft. Another
<br />approach is to help train new investigators, patrol officers, and supervisors on things to look for on identifying a possible stolen
<br />vehicle or tools used to commit auto theft.
<br />The task force also uses license plate readers and has access to license plate readers placed throughout the coverage area to
<br />identify and locate stolen vehicles. These devices are monitored and used on a regular basis by the task force. The task force
<br />detectives also use the license plate readers to enter suspect vehicle information to alert local patrol officers of known suspect
<br />vehicles in a particular area. This helps detectives and patrol officers respond to the area to deter or prevent a crime from being
<br />committed.
<br />The task force detectives also use a bait car system, mainly for burglaries, to help identify suspects. It's has been a trend in the
<br />program area for suspects to burglarize a motor vehicle, i locate the spare keyJfob, and then steal the motor vehicle. The stolen
<br />vehicle is then used to commit other burglaries or thefts before being discarded. The task force will work with the District Attorneys
<br />to identify prolific offenders, prepare case files, and assist with collecting evidence to present to the courts. The task force will
<br />assist any request from the program area to help identify burned, dismantled, altered vehicles ( including trailers). The task force
<br />will also assist with the processing of the same articles for the collection evidence purposes. The task force conducts random
<br />salvage dealer, metal recycling yard, and conducts DMV68-a inspections to combat auto theft as well.
<br />The task force collaborates and communicates with other task forces to compare trends in auto theft. The task force also
<br />communicates with other jurisdictions inside the program area to develop a plan of action to combat these trends, and combat the
<br />organized criminal networks responsible for auto thefts. The task force will work with local businesses by helping them develop
<br />procedures to prevent auto theft and unknowingly facilitating auto theft.
<br />The task force will apply the MVCPA values of investigations, identifying auto suspects, communicating and collaborating across
<br />jurisdictions, identifying prolific burglary offenders, business support, use of technology, and Interrupting organized criminal
<br />networks and enterprises.
<br />3.3 Functions of the proposed program related to fraud -related motor vehicle crime (such as title and registration fraud)
<br />The task force detectives keep a good working relationship with the tax assessor offices in the program area. The task force
<br />detectives try to meet with the employees or contact them by phone to get answers to changing DMV requirements in order to
<br />maintain knowledgeable on the title and registration requirements. The task force detectives frequently disseminate the information
<br />collected to local and area patrol officers to educate them on security changes to titles and registrations.
<br />Task force detectives conduct DMV 68-A inspections in order to help identify fraudulent title transactions, registration fraud, stolen
<br />, and cloned stolen vehicles. In 2019 the task force conducted 599 DMV 68-A inspections and 506 for 2020. This service is offered
<br />by the task force for the program area, and sometimes outside the program area if the service is not available to that area.
<br />The task force has also worked with local dealerships to educate them on how to detect and minimize the possibility of receiving
<br />fraudulent infonnation from a potential customer for the purchase of a vehicle. The task force has worked several cases where
<br />dealerships sells a vehicle over the phone or intemet and the purchaser uses stolen information ( identity theft). The dealership
<br />then will ship the vehicle to the suspect, not knowing that information was fraudulent until after the suspect takes possession of the
<br />vehicle.
<br />The task force also educates the public about purchasing a vehicle through the intemet or social media and receiving a fraudulent
<br />title. This has been a growing trend throughout the state where stolen vehicles are being sold with a fraudulent tile to unsuspected
<br />buyers. The task force will continue to work these type cases, but has found that most of the time these offenses originated in
<br />another jurisdiction or state.
<br />3.4 Functions of the proposed program related to preventing motor vehicle crime (motor vehicle theft, burglary from a motor vehicle
<br />and fraud -related motor vehicle crime)
<br />The Northeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force detectives feel that the first thing in preventing a crime is to educate the citizens how
<br />not to become a victim. The task force will place ads, literature, conduct speaking events, attend community events, and place
<br />signage in highly trafficked areas to help educate and remind the public of the importance of securing their belongings and locking
<br />their vehicles.
<br />It has been the experience of the task force detectives that most people feel secure in their homes and property. This leads to
<br />complacency in some cases where the person forgets or feels there is no need to lock their vehicle and homes, Thus leading to
<br />suspects taking advantage of the victim by burglarizing their vehicles, homes, and stealing their motor vehicle. The task force
<br />detectives believe educating the public on ways to prevent these type crimes will help reduce the amount of burglary of motor
<br />vehicles, theft of firearms, theft of auto parts, identity theft, and theft of motor vehicles.
<br />The task force detectives will continue to coordinate with program area law enforcement agencies, N/CB, DPS, Oklahoma law
<br />enforcement, as well task forces across the state to identify trends in burglary of vehicles, auto parts thefts, vehicle fraud cases,
<br />and theft of motor vehicles. The task force will continue conduct covert operations, deploy bait vehicles, bait trailers, and continue
<br />the use of the license plate reader system currently in place in the participating area.
<br />The task force will continue to educate the public in how to research a vehicle in order to avoid a title fraud incident, and to educate
<br />the public on the services available to them to avoid purchasing a stolen vehicle.
<br />3.5 Functions of the proposed program for other motor vehicle crimes investigations and activities consistent with the statutory
<br />hftps:/imvcpa.tamu.edu/NegotiationfTFGPrintApplication.asp?ApplD=188&Fisca1Year=2022 7/12
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