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MVCPA Task force Grant Negotiation
<br />Ihftps:/fmvcpa.tamu,eduNe otiatiorn/TlI GPrirntApplication.asp?App.ff)=225&
<br />motor vehicles, as well as trends on other auto theft related crimes and property crimes in general as suspects are generally linked.
<br />The information shared among these investigators haps develop suspect information, recover stolen property, and help coordinate
<br />ways to reduce the burglaries in general. The task force also conducts random salvage ,yard, metal recycling, auto repair shop, and
<br />salvage dealer inspections to help deter aorto parts thefts.. The task Force works with local auto dealerships to help prevent parts
<br />thefts from vehicles on their lots. The task force also communicates with local businesses and citizens to recover security surveillance
<br />footage to assist in the identification of suspects. The task force will assist any agencies with investigations that involve burglary of
<br />motor vehicles, theft of auto pads, and motor vehicle thefts.
<br />3.2 IF"urnctions of the proposed program related to motor vehicle theft.
<br />The Northeast Texas auto Theft Task Force dedicates the majority of its time and efforts in the detection, investigation, iden0cation,
<br />and recovery of stolen vehicles, as well as preparing criminal cases and arresting vehicle theft suspects. The task force has
<br />developed a large network with other investigators in our program area as well as other jurisdictions throughout the Mate of Texas
<br />and Oklahoma., The task force collaborates and communicates with these investigators as well as other bsk Force investigators to
<br />compare trends in auto theft related crimes. The task force will work with local businesses in developing procedures to prevent auto
<br />theft and unknowingly facilitate auto theft. The task force trains and guides other investigators and patrol officers on identifying
<br />possible stolen vehicles. The task force also actively works to educate the citizens of our coverage area through social media, public
<br />events, and news media. The Northeast Texas Auto Theft T sk Force has access to 21 F-1OCK cameras„ with more currently being
<br />added. Investigators actively respond to any LPP hits to intercept stolen vehicles. Investigators also use the b.PPs to enter suspect
<br />vehicle information to alert local patrol officers of known vehicle theft suspect vehicles being in a particular area. Patrol Officers and/or
<br />detectives are then able to respond to the area to help deter or prevent a crime from being committed.. The task force has a bait car
<br />systems that can be utilized. It is generally used for burglaries to help identify suspects, however, we have found in our area suspects
<br />burglarizing a motor vehicle will steal the vehicle if they locate a spare ke,yffob. The stolen vehicle is then used to commit other
<br />burglaries or thefts before being discarded or burned. The task force works with the District Attorney's Oce to identify prolific
<br />offenders, prepare case files, and assist with collecting evidence to present to the courts. The task force often assists agencies from
<br />our coverage area in identifying burned, dismantled, and altered vehicles. The task force assists with processing these articles for
<br />evidentiary purposes. The task force conducts random salvage dealer and metal recycling yard inspections to locate stolen vehicles.
<br />The task force conducts DMV66•-a inspections to combat auto theft as well. Due to our task force being mostly rural, one of the most
<br />common thefts in our program area are trailer and ATV thefts. Investigators deploy bait trailers with trackers to combat this problem. It
<br />has been used with success in identifying and arresting suspects.
<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 investigators have a good working relationship with the tax assessor offices in our program area and will continue to
<br />respond to investigate title and registration fraud related crimes.. Investigators either contact by phone or meet in person with
<br />employees of the tax assessor offices to get answers to changing DMV requirements in order to remain knowledgeable on title and
<br />registration requirements. Investigators are able to provide this information to local patrol offic ers to keep them educated on security
<br />changes to titles and registrations. The task force investigates fraudulent online purchase of vehicles from dealerships in which the
<br />suspect never makes physical contact with the business. The suspect uses stolen information (identify theft) to purchase the vehicle
<br />and the dealership will then ship the vehicle to the suspect, not knowing that the information provided miss fraudulent until well after
<br />the suspect already has possession of the vehicle. The task force educates the public about buying vehicles over social media and
<br />receiving fraudulent titles. We have s • en this growing trend in our program area where stolen vehicles are being sold with a
<br />fraudulent title to unsuspected buyers, generally coming from areas like gallas and I•louston. Generally, the buyer does not know it is
<br />a stolen vehicle until they attempt to have the title put in their name or a DMV 68-A inspection is done on it. Task force investigators
<br />conduct the DMV 66-A inspections in order to help identify fraudulent title transactions, registration fraud, and stolen and cloned
<br />vehicles..
<br />3..4 Functions of the proposed program related to preventing ,motor vehicle crime (irrnotor vehicle theft, burglary from a irrnotor vehicle and
<br />fraud -related ,motor vehicle crime)
<br />The Northeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force believes educating citizens on how not to become a victim of burglaries, vehicle thefts,
<br />and other vehicle related crimes is paramount in combating these vehicle crimes.. The task force will educate the public on hog® to
<br />research a vehicle prior to purchasing it to prevent a title fraud incident and to prevent them from purchasing a stolen vehicle. The
<br />task force places ads with different media outlets as well as makes posts on social media to inform citizens of current trends related to
<br />vehicle crimes. Social media will also be utilized to help recover stolen property and identify unknown suspects. Investigators attend
<br />community events such as County Faits and trade shows where they set up booths and display banners and signs. The task force
<br />also places signage in highly trafficked areas to help educate and remind citizens of the importance of securing their belongings and
<br />locking their vehicles. The task force has Investigators that are T O1.F• certified instructors who will deliver multiple T'COLE and Non-
<br />TCOLE training courses related to vehicle crimes and prevention to coverage area law enforcement officers. This training will help our
<br />rural coverage area counties who have investigators with little to no training on vehicle crimes know what to look for and assist in
<br />preventing and the detection of vehicle crimes. The task force will continue to coordinate with program area law enforcement
<br />agencies, NI B, DPS, Oklahoma law enforcement, and other Task Forces across the state to identify trends in motor vehicle thefts,
<br />auto burglaries, auto parts thefts, and vehicle fraud cases.
<br />3.5 IFunctions of the proposed program for other ,motor vehicle crimes investigations and activities conslstent with the statutory
<br />requirements (prevernfing stollen vehicles from entering Mexico, stopping Hiegal export of stolen velhicle from (bridge/ outbound port
<br />operations, diisruptlon of cartel or orgaiPnlzed cirlmmlimal enterprises using stolen motor vehicles or fraud related ,motor vehicle crime,
<br />insurance fraud, etc...)
<br />The task force program area is not located near or around any U.S. border or a port of entrylexit. The program area does have (5)
<br />counties along the Texas and Oklahoma border where stolen property frequently enters and leaves the state. The task force will
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