VEHICLE INVESTIGATION PREVENTION
ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE (VIPER) PROGRAM
The Louisiana Automobile Theft and Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority (LATIFPA) and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) have successfully executed a cooperative endeavor agreement for the implementation of initiatives and programs designed to reduce insurance fraud and related crime, including vehicle theft. Through the collective efforts of both parties, law enforcement agencies, and the insurance industry, the development and implementation of a statewide bait vehicle program has been introduced. The basic design for the program provides for LATIFPA to donate funds to NICB for bait vehicle equipment purchases for vehicles provided by insurance companies.
NICB will oversee the bait vehicle program with local law enforcement agencies which are selected by a steering committee consisting of both parties, recommended to and approved by LATIFPA board of directors.
NICB will develop and maintain accountability standards to assess the effectiveness of the bait vehicle program within the selected law enforcement agency to determine future deployment of the program. NICB will develop a reporting system for law enforcement agencies to follow and maintain.
LATFIPA will oversee the donations to NICB to purchase bait vehicle equipment and develop and maintain accountability standards to assess the effectiveness of the bait vehicle equipment donations and the success of the bait vehicle programs assigned to law enforcement agencies.
Under the Bait Vehicle Program, LATIFPA, in conjunction with the NICB, has awarded a bait vehicle and bait vehicle equipment to the Shreveport, Baton Rouge, Bossier City and New Orleans Police Departments, and more recently, LATIFPA has awarded a bait vehicle and bait vehicle equipment to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office. LATIFPA has also awarded a a second bait vehicle to the Baton Rouge Police Department.