The HEAT
is comprised of five components:
-
The Watch Your Car program.
-
Public awareness and education programs.
-
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etching.
-
VIN parts labeling.
-
Anti-theft devices.
WATCH
YOUR CAR

Watch Your Car is a voluntary vehicle
registration program in which owners sign an agreement stating
their vehicle is not normally used between the hours of 1 a.m.
and 5 a.m. If a police officer observes a vehicle with the decal
being driven during those hours, the officer can stop the vehicle
and verify the owner or a person designated by the owner is behind
the wheel. The standardized decals and nationwide implementation
of the program means officers across the country will recognize
the decals and can proactively investigate auto thefts before
a stolen vehicle report is even filed.
PUBLIC
AWARENESS AND EDUCATION
-
Tips to help prevent vehicle thefts.
-
Take your keys.
-
Lock your car.
-
Never leave your car running.
-
Never leave valuables in plain view.
-
Park in well-lighted areas.
-
Never hide a second set of keys in your car.
-
Leave only the ignition / door key when parking in an attended lot.
-
Completely close car windows when parking.
-
Park with your wheels turned towards the curb or to the side in driveways and parking lots.
VIN
ETCHING, LABELING AND ANTI-THEFT DEVICES
VIN etching, the third component of the program, involves the
vehicle owner voluntarily having the Vehicle Identification Number acid-etched onto every window.
Thieves operating "chop shops"operations in which vehicles are dismantled and parts sold separately
-- cannot remove or alter the number without damaging the windows.
VIN labeling works in much the same way, forcing thieves to spend
unwanted time and effort removing or altering the VIN number
labels.
Program administrators are seeking sponsors from
the insurance and auto industry to help provide anti-theft devices
to program participants.
Call
931-840-5977
for more information or to sign up
for any of these programs