A coalition of law enforcement agencies and insurance companies today launched an education campaign to chill the number of auto thefts in the state.
Public awareness efforts will include coordinated statewide education campaigns, enforcement efforts and a new consumer-focused auto theft prevention website, , said Carole Walker, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association and chair of Coloradans Against Auto Theft coalition.
Auto thefts in the state have fallen by half since the creation of the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority’s multi-jurisdictional task forces in 2003.
Since that time, the number of stolen vehicles in Colorado has fallen from 22,699 to 12,182.
“Our task forces work beyond city and county borders to recover stolen vehicles and prosecute organized crime groups,” said Lakewood Police Chief Kevin Plateau, a CAAT board member. “But that is not enough. Many times, auto theft is a preventable crime. We really need the public’s help to prevent these thefts and apprehend the offenders.”
Tom McGhee: (303)954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com
