Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 09/30/03

Contact person(s):

Ken Gnoss, Chief Deputy District Attorney - 565-3098 Commander Scott Swanson, Santa Rosa PD - 543-3550 Sgt. Ron York, Task Force Commander - 565-1371

SONOMA COUNTY AUTO THEFT TASK FORCE

The Sonoma County District Attorneys Office received authorization today from the Board of Supervisors to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sonoma County Auto Theft Task Force (SCATT), a multi-jurisdictional auto theft investigative unit. Participants of SCATT are the California Highway Patrol, Petaluma Police Department, Santa Rosa Police Department and Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office. The Memorandum of Understanding will run through June 30, 2004.

The mission of SCATT is to address the incidence of vehicle theft in Sonoma County through investigations, focused prosecutions, pro-active enforcement efforts, training and public awareness. Funds for SCATT are provided by a state mandated Vehicle Registration Collection Fee for Vehicle Theft Deterrence. Through the mutual cooperation of the task force members and pooling of resources, SCATT will be adding a full time Field Evidence Technician to their staff to assist in crime scene investigations and crime trend analysis.

Recently, Sonoma County has experienced an increased theft trend of cars, trucks, and recreational vehicles. While many car thieves live locally, thieves from outside Sonoma County also frequent our communities to find and steal vehicles. This activity is often times linked to gang members looking to enhance their gang activities. An obvious motive for stealing a vehicle is profit. Thieves target expensive or popular vehicles for resale or for selling of parts. However, the majority of thefts occurring in Sonoma County continue to be crimes of opportunity with little or no consideration for vehicle value. In these cases, thieves are typically drawn to valuables in plain view and subsequently locate a key within the vehicle which facilitates the theft. Likewise, thieves encountering an unlocked vehicle with a key in the ignition take advantage of an easy target and steal the vehicle. Vehicle owners are reminded to lock their vehicles, not leave a spare key in the vehicle, and keep valuables out of sight.

Further information regarding the Sonoma County Auto Theft Task Force, as well as tips on Vehicle Theft Prevention can be accessed at www.scatt.org.