July is Vehicle Theft Protection Month

Released: July 10, 2009

Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon announced today that the Louisiana Automobile Theft and Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority (LATIFPA) within the Department of Insurance has launched a new Web site with information and statistics about insurance fraud and vehicle theft. The site can be found through the Department’s Web site at www.ldi.state.la.us . The kick-off of the new Web site coincides with the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICB) Vehicle Theft Protection Month, which is July.

Commissioner Donelon says the new Web site details the programs sponsored by LATIFPA that are currently in effect and are designed to accomplish the group’s mission, which is to deter and reduce vehicle theft and insurance fraud by generating private funds to support law enforcement, public awareness, community involvement and education initiatives. Those programs initiated by LATIFPA include a bait car program, known as Vehicle Investigation Prevention Enforcement Response (VIPER); a License Plate Recognition (LPR) program; and an Auto Theft Education program. “This site is loaded with tips for vehicle crime prevention and also raises awareness about the serious crime of insurance fraud,” Commissioner Donelon said.

LATIFPA also recently launched a statewide public awareness campaign which included radio ads and billboards created to educate consumers on insurance fraud and vehicle theft. Raising public awareness on both of these issues has proven to reduce the instances of insurance fraud and vehicle theft in several other states. The radio ads and billboard photos can be found on the new Web site.

Up-to-date statistics on the new site include: number of theft attempts from VIPER program bait cars, arrest and conviction rates; list of the top 10 vehicles stolen in Louisiana in 2008; motor vehicle theft statistics by state, by Louisiana metropolitan statistical area and by city; and tips on protecting yourself from becoming a victim of vehicle theft.

Those who would like to contribute to the Automobile Theft and Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority Fund within LATIFPA, which is used to collect and disburse funds for the purpose of reducing motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud, may make donations online at www.ldi.louisiana.gov/Legal_Services/LATIFPA/index.html under Fundraising/Donate. Checks payable to the Automobile Theft and Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority Fund may also be mailed to the Louisiana Department of Insurance - LATIFPA, P.O. Box 94214, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804-9214.

VIPER
The bait vehicle program was launched in 2006 and is sponsored in conjunction with the NICB. LATIFPA awards funds for the purchase of bait car systems to be installed in vehicles donated by insurance companies. The vehicles are remotely monitored by law enforcement officials, who are alerted when a vehicle is stolen. The vehicles contain a tracking device, along with audio and video equipment, which is used to aid in the prosecution of the offender. Bait vehicles have been placed in areas with high auto theft rates in Baton Rouge, Bossier City, Shreveport and New Orleans.

LPR
The License Plate Recognition program was launched in 2008 and is also sponsored in conjunction with the NICB. The license plate reader systems being awarded to qualifying law enforcement agencies in Louisiana are designed to capture pictures of thousands of license plates from moving or stationary vehicles, process the images and send the images to a centralized database, and within seconds determine if the vehicle matching the license plate has been reported stolen. This technology has also been used by law enforcement to track Amber Alerts, car jackings, and robberies with vehicle descriptions. LPR systems have been awarded to police departments in Baton Rouge, Lafayette and New Orleans.

Auto Theft Education Program
This program was launched in 2007 and is designed to inform and educate middle and high school students about the consequences of auto theft. It also encourages good driving habits and educates young drivers on how to prevent vehicle theft.

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