NCJ Number
176272
Journal
Gazette Volume: 60 Issue: 11 Dated: November 1998 Pages: 16-18
Date Published
1998
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The United States Attorney General has established a national voluntary motor vehicle theft prevention program called Watch Your Car, in cooperation with the States and through the Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act of 1994.
Abstract
The program allows owners of motor vehicles to display a decal or device such as a State-issued, customized license plate to alert police that their vehicles are not normally driven between 1:00 and 5:00 in the morning. Motorists may also display another decal or device to signify that their vehicles are not normally driven in the proximity of international land borders or ports. The program resulted from the finding that a significant number of auto thefts occur during the early morning hours when owners are asleep. State governments' participation in the program is voluntary. Some States have similar programs. BJA will award implementation grants of up to $150,000 to States that submit nationwide strategies to prevent motor vehicle thefts. BJA mailed the fiscal year 1998 program announcement and application kit to interested State agencies in late January 1998. State applications must include a problem statement, goals and objectives, a project strategy or design, an implementation plan, a budget narrative, and information about the program evaluation and assessment. Photograph and BJA web site address