|
<br />AUTOMOBILE THEFT PREVENTION AUTHORITY
<br />
<br />PROGRAM NARRATIVE
<br />
<br />1. Problem Statement and Historical Information (See Instructions on page 17)
<br />
<br />The City of Paris received a grant from the ATPA thirteen years ago to form the Northeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force. Our
<br />program began covering only Lamar and the surrounding counties, but now we have a coverage area which includes twelve
<br />counties in northeast Texas, covering 8,000 squares miles with a population of approximately 500,000. When requested, we also
<br />assist in Bowie, Hunt, Grayson, and Camp Counties. There are approximately 500,000 vehicles registered in our coverage area.
<br />The populations of Delta and Fannin Counties continue to grow due to the exodus of people from the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex,
<br />and Hopkins Country has reported that they, too, have seen a slight increase in their population. We do not have current census
<br />figures; however, the Delta County Tax Assessor has advised that she has seen an increase of apprOXimately 3%, and the Fannin
<br />County Tax Assessor has seen an increase of about 10% on top of the 40-60% increase recorded last year. There is an overall
<br />population increase in our coverage area of about 5%, which translates to an increase in the number of vehicles registered by
<br />approximately 25,000.
<br />
<br />The Task Force consists of one sergeant and one investigator who each spend 100% of their time investigating auto theft and
<br />other related crimes. About two years ago, we initiated an inspection program in Fannin County whereby individuals bring their
<br />vehicles to the Tax-Assessor's office on Thursday mornings. Based upon recent UCR statistics, Paris and Lamar County have
<br />had approximately 59 auto thefts from 2006 to the present. This represents a decrease of 125 from this same period in 2006,
<br />which is a 47% decrease. We believe the inspection program coupled with more education for both officers and the public is a
<br />key to this decrease. Coordinating investigations with DPS, all agencies within our area, agencies in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area,
<br />NICB, East Texas ATTF, North Texas ATTF, OSBI, FBI, TxDOT Titles & Registrations, all Tax Assessors, US Postal Service, ATF,
<br />and all County and District attorneys has also attributed greatly to this decline in thefts.
<br />
<br />We had scheduled two patrol officers' training classes for the September-October time periOd with the East Texas Police
<br />Academy; however, the Academy canceled the classes. We did, however, present one class in August 2006 at which 18 students
<br />attended. Although we did not charge for the schools, we have had difficulty gaining attendance from the smaller agencies
<br />because of both the lack of officers necessary to cover those in attendance and the overtime for officers covering for the
<br />attendees. We have also assisted the DPS with classes for the Texarkana P.O. Police Academy.
<br />
<br />COVERAGE AREA: Delta, Fannin, Franklin, Hopkins, Lamar, Red River, Titus
<br />ASSISTANCE TO COUNTIES: Bowie, Camp, Grayson, Hunt, and Morris
<br />
<br />There were about 564 auto thefts this year in our area. Although there was a decrease in some counties, there was an increase in
<br />others. The Texas DPS MVTS and our two Task Force officers are the only full-time auto theft investigators in the northeast
<br />Texas area; therefore, the coordination of efforts with all agencies is essential.
<br />
<br />As stated earlier, we had scheduled three classes with the East Texas Police Academy; however, two were canceled and we have
<br />not been able to schedule additional classes at this time.
<br />
<br />The Northeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force is the only ATPA grant program in northeast Texas.
<br />
<br />Historical Information
<br />
<br />The Northeast Texas Auto Theft Task force has two officers from the Paris Police Department assigned to the grant program. The
<br />Sergeant and Investigator spend 100% of their time investigating auto thefts and other auto related crimes. The program is in the
<br />thirteenth year and assists with such crimes in twelve counties.
<br />
<br />2006
<br />LAMAR (INCLUDING PARIS)
<br />DELTA
<br />FANNIN
<br />FRANKLIN
<br />HOPKINS
<br />RED RIVER
<br />TITUS
<br />
<br />NUMBER OF VEHICLE THEFTS
<br />48
<br />6
<br />24
<br />12
<br />16
<br />18
<br />40
<br />
<br />164
<br />
<br />TOTAL
<br />
<br />BOWIE (INCLUDING TEXARKANA PO) (198 THEFTS), GRAYSON (199 THEFTS), HUNT (207 THEFTS), CAMP, AND MORRIS HAVE
<br />HAD APPROXIMATELY 700 THEFTS (UCR not available for Camp and Morris Counties)
<br />
<br />A TP A-21
<br />
|