A car is stolen every five minutes in Texas and Houston/Harris County leads the state in auto thefts, accounting for 30 percent of the state’s total. Greenspoint represents less than 4 percent of the Houston/Harris County total, but as a regional business and economic center, the community is teaming up with local law enforcement on a new program to help stop auto theft.

The Greater Greenspoint District was recently awarded a $247,000 grant from the Texas Auto Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA) to implement a new program called Greenspoint Stopping Auto Theft (GSAT). The District is dedicating an additional $182,000 to this new program that includes targeted stings and law enforcement operations, along with a public awareness initiative to help residents and employees learn how they can prevent auto theft.

“Our goal is to decrease auto theft by targeting not only the thieves but anyone who profits from stolen cars,” said Jerry Lowry, GGD vice president & chief operating officer. “Four Harris County deputies make up the auto theft task force and dedicate 100 percent of their time to that effort. In addition, they will work with other deputies and HPD officers, adding to the resources available in the community to fight auto theft.”

Along with focused law enforcement efforts, the plan encourages creating an informed public through community awareness activities at area businesses and schools, and by coordinating with the media.

“There are two main things every one of us can do right now to make a big difference,” said Lowry.

1. Lock your car: 50 percent of stolen vehicles are unlocked.

2. Take your keys: 20 percent of stolen vehicles have the keys in them.

Lowry adds that valuables left in cars attract thieves so they should also be locked up and out of sight.

ATPA was created in 1991 by the Texas Legislature to reduce auto theft in Texas. Since its inception, vehicle theft rates in Texas have been reduced by 56 percent. In 2005, ATPA funded 27 grants, providing more than $9 million to local law enforcement agencies across the state.

Don’t be an auto theft victim!

Lock your vehicle and take your keys, even parked at home.
Never hide an extra set of keys in your car.
Always park in a well-lighted area.
Use auto theft deterrents, such as alarms and kill switches.
Never leave the engine running, even for a quick errand.
Keep all valuables and packages out of sight.

Take advantage of vehicle registration programs:
The Texas Watch Your Car H.E.A.T. Rear Decal. Register at http://records.txdps.state.tx.us/heat/

The Protect Our Parts (P.O.P.) program by the Texas Automobile Theft Prevention Authority, in partnership with the Texas Action Council on Theft For more information, call 1-800-286-9801.