Who: Los Angeles Police Department’s CECAT Unit Personnel, Department of Motor Vehicles, and Safe Lite Auto Glass Personnel

What: Auto Theft Clinic for Window Etching of Vehicle Identification Numbers

When: Saturday, August 23, 2003 at 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where: Department of Motor Vehicles parking lot, 14920 Vanowen Street, Van Nuys

Los Angeles: Auto Theft is an increasing crime throughout the United States. In the Los Angeles area alone, as of August 16, 2003, 20,666 vehicles were reported stolen.

One effective LAPD entity that is successfully combating auto theft is the unit known as the Community Effort to Combat Auto Theft, or CECAT Unit. This innovative law enforcement team, along with the Department of Motor Vehicles and Safe Lite Auto Glass Company, are holding a public workshop to battle the incessant problem of auto theft in Los Angeles.

At the workshop, for a fee of $15.00, participants will be able to have their vehicle windows etched with their vehicle’s corresponding VIN numbers. The numbers displayed will be small in size, discreetly placed, and will provide law enforcement agencies a valuable resource in instantly identifying vehicles that have had the VIN number plate altered or removed. This process has proven to be an effective and an inexpensive method in reducing auto theft.

For further information, please contact CECAT Sergeant John Artes at 818-756-8138.

This media advisory was prepared by Public Information Officer Adriana N. Sanchez, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.