New program makes car theft a sticky situation

The statewide "Watch Your Car Program" allows vehicle owners to put stickers on their windshields, permitting police to do routine traffic stops if a car is spotted on the road between 1 and 5 a.m. The officers then verify that the driver of the car is the registered owner.

Car owners can register their vehicles through the Arizona Auto Theft Authority, which sends the stickers through the mail. The program uses a special database maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

"We have mailed out between 3,400 to 4,000 registrations," said Paul Mortensen, executive director of the Arizona Auto Theft Authority. He added that the government entity still has 2,000 stickers to mail.

"The stickers are made by 3M and are tamper-resistant," Mortensen said. "They can be taken off, but it would take time - maybe with a razor blade."

The sticker procurement is a reaction to Arizona's auto-theft rate, which is the highest in the nation. Thieves made off with almost 40,000 cars in 1996 - accounting for more than $230 million in stolen property.

Sgt. Vince Roberts, of the University Police Department, said the worst areas for car theft on campus are the parking lots near Coronado, Stadium and Arizona-Sonora Residence Halls; the lots at East Speedway Boulevard and North Cherry Avenue; and street parking at East Sixth Street and North Cherry Boulevard.

He said on-campus awareness can help reduce the chances of theft.

"Look for broken windows or car alarms going off," he said. "Thieves steal in the daytime, too."

The most common cars stolen are the Chevrolet truck, Camaro, Monte Carlo, the Oldsmobile Cutlass, Supreme, Sierra, the Pontiac Grand Am, Jeep Cherokee, Buick Regal, Nissan trucks and the Ford F150 series trucks.

Tucson police Sgt. Brett Klein said the state's close proximity to the Mexican border provides ample opportunity for theft.

About 40,000 vehicles in Arizona were reported stolen in 1996 - one every 13 minutes.

Under the sticker program, police can also stop the car if they see it within one mile of any international border.

Klein said local gangs tend to steal vehicles just for fun.

"We end up with a lot of joyrides," Klein said. "They drive from point A to point B, drop off the cars, then trash them."

According to the Arizona Auto Theft Authority video, stolen vehicles may find their way to Mexico or another country so as not to be traced.

Thieves can also take cars to a chop shop, where parts are removed and put onto other cars. The car's appearance can also be altered to divert attention.

The vehicle may be sold with a duplicate title or a new vehicle identification number.

Registration forms can be obtained through the local police or by calling the Arizona Auto Theft Authority at 1-888-NO-THIEF.

Liz Dailey can be reached via e-mail at Liz.Dailey@wildcat.arizona.edu.