Colorado Organization’s Summer Campaign Coincides With National Auto Theft Prevention Month

The Coloradans Against Auto Theft (CAAT) coalition recognizes National Auto Theft Prevention Month with a new Lockdown public awareness campaign empowering citizens to take an active role in protecting themselves and their communities from auto theft.

The summer “Lock Your Block” campaign aims to reduce auto theft by engaging communities to be proactive in prevention efforts.

“The best form of auto theft prevention happens within communities,” said Colonel Scott Hernandez, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol (CSP). “The point of this campaign is to encourage neighbors to protect neighbors, families to protect families…if you notice suspicious behavior in your community, report it immediately.”

The Lockdown campaign, supported by grant funding through the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority (CATPA), is conducted statewide in conjunction with law enforcement agencies, insurance companies and community partners.

“It takes a strong combination of law enforcement and task forces working together with the public to combat and prevent auto theft,” said Robert Force, CATPA Director. “We increasingly see auto theft as a gateway to other serious crimes, which makes our jobs even more important. It’s not just about auto theft, it’s about doing what we can to make communities safer overall.”

“Auto theft traditionally spikes during the summer months when drivers tend to leave their guard—and their windows—down,” says Carole Walker, Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association and CAAT co-chair. “This summer’s campaign creates a sense of proactivity among neighborhoods. We want to encourage Coloradans to call in suspicious activity to help Lock Your Block against auto theft. In addition to mass media and grassroots tactics, we will be supplying task forces and police departments with campaign materials to help spread the word statewide.”

Public awareness efforts and educational materials will carry statewide messages throughout the summer that encourage citizens to be auto theft aware: lock your car, look for suspicious behavior and report it to local authorities.

• Radio Spots (Colorado Broadcasters Association);
• Online & Digital Ads;
• Educational Materials: Lockdown tips cards, sunglasses, USB car chargers, neighborhood signs, window clings;
• Barbed Wire Car Exhibit.

The campaign encourages citizens to check out the interactive hotspot map on www.lockdownyourcar.org to become more informed about where auto theft occurs and that it happens in their neighborhoods—an incentive to be auto theft aware and “Lock Your Block.”

Source: Coloradans Against Auto Theft (CAAT)