Michigan’s First Auto Theft Forum Examines Auto Theft Trends in State

Experts from the insurance industry, law enforcement, automobile manufacturers and dealers, as well as prosecuting attorneys and state legislators gathered Tuesday for Michigan’s first Auto Theft Forum 2001, a groundbreaking summit focusing directly on the problem of auto theft in Michigan.

Hosted by the Automobile Theft Prevention Authority of Michigan (ATPA) and Help Eliminate Auto Thefts (HEAT), the inaugural event featured presentations and discussions on current trends in auto theft and auto theft related insurance fraud in Michigan.

Participants included Margaret Scott of the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, Commander Hilton Napoleon of the Detroit Police Dept., Chris Hogan from DaimlerChrysler and Kevin Rinke from the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, among others, will serve on panels to discuss auto theft problem identification.

Tom Ginster, Criminal Justice Advisor for Governor John Engler and Patricia Nash of the Michigan Dept. of State will be among those giving individual presentations. Inspector Annemarie Gibson of the Michigan State Police, Leanne Snay of the Insurance Information Association of Michigan and Commissioner Frank Fitzgerald of the Michigan Insurance Bureau.

As the state continues working to attract new business investment and workers from outside the state, forum organizers understand quality of life issues will become increasingly important. While Michigan auto theft rates have dropped 25 percent since 1985, the state still ranks in the top five in the country for auto theft.

In founding this forum, the ATPA and HEAT® hope to present new ideas and solutions to those dedicated to the fight against auto theft, as well as bring together experts who might not otherwise get an opportunity to brainstorm and discuss the issue.

HEAT operates a toll free confidential tip line, 1-800-242-HEAT, for citizens to report auto theft related information. Since its inception in 1985, HEAT has awarded more than $2.2 million to tip callers. During that period, the HEAT tip line has received 5,484 calls leading to the arrest of 2,445 suspects and has recovered 2,999 vehicles valued at more than $34 million.

Topics Trends Auto Fraud Michigan