Vehicle Theft Experts, Law Enforcement Blast SB 1542
Sacramento—The International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI) an organization of more than 4,000 law enforcement and insurance industry representatives and a leader in fighting motor vehicle crime, recently passed a resolution opposing SB 1542, a bill in the California legislature that would allow thieves to get their hands on information to steal cars and trucks. In a resolution on the issue, IAATI said “it is common knowledge that organized crime groups, terrorist organizations and other of the criminal element who use motor vehicle crimes as a common means of financial support could benefit from such information. Based on these factors and in the interest of vehicle theft prevention and public safety IAATI resolves to oppose any such legislation that would create KEY CODE dissemination on a local, state or national level.”
SB 1542 would make the secret code that protects your vehicle from car thieves available to millions of people. According to the nonprofit Highway Loss Data Institute, modern antitheft devices have sharply reduced vehicle theft. These security devices deter theft by coding information into the ignition key. When the key is inserted in the ignition, the system “reads” the key and if the code is not correct, the vehicle won’t start.
California annually leads the nation in vehicle thefts. Recent technological breakthroughs have allowed consumers some protection against vehicle thieves. SB 1542 poses troublesome questions about what will happen when sensitive, secret key code information becomes easily available.
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“This is a recipe for disaster,” said Tommy Hansen, IAATI President and an officer in the Criminal Investigation Division of the Galveston County, Texas Sheriff’s Office. “Just when we in law enforcement were making real progress by using technology to defeat vehicle thieves, we’re going to give everybody the electronic keys to our cars. It’s crazy.”
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and The California Motor Car Dealers Association have opposed the bill on similar concerns about the safety of vehicle owners.
A quarter of a million vehicles were stolen in California last year, and some of the “hot spots” for thieves are Modesto, Stockton, Visalia, San Diego, Oakland and Sacramentoâ€â€Âall ranking in the top ten nationally for vehicle thefts.
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Vehicle Theft Experts, Law Enforcement Blast SB 1542
Sacramento—The International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI) an organization of more than 4,000 law enforcement and insurance industry representatives and a leader in fighting motor vehicle crime, recently passed a resolution opposing SB 1542, a bill in the California legislature that would allow thieves to get their hands on information to steal cars and trucks. In a resolution on the issue, IAATI said “it is common knowledge that organized crime groups, terrorist organizations and other of the criminal element who use motor vehicle crimes as a common means of financial support could benefit from such information. Based on these factors and in the interest of vehicle theft prevention and public safety IAATI resolves to oppose any such legislation that would create KEY CODE dissemination on a local, state or national level.”
SB 1542 would make the secret code that protects your vehicle from car thieves available to millions of people. According to the nonprofit Highway Loss Data Institute, modern antitheft devices have sharply reduced vehicle theft. These security devices deter theft by coding information into the ignition key. When the key is inserted in the ignition, the system “reads” the key and if the code is not correct, the vehicle won’t start.
California annually leads the nation in vehicle thefts. Recent technological breakthroughs have allowed consumers some protection against vehicle thieves. SB 1542 poses troublesome questions about what will happen when sensitive, secret key code information becomes easily available.
(more)
“This is a recipe for disaster,” said Tommy Hansen, IAATI President and an officer in the Criminal Investigation Division of the Galveston County, Texas Sheriff’s Office. “Just when we in law enforcement were making real progress by using technology to defeat vehicle thieves, we’re going to give everybody the electronic keys to our cars. It’s crazy.”
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and The California Motor Car Dealers Association have opposed the bill on similar concerns about the safety of vehicle owners.
A quarter of a million vehicles were stolen in California last year, and some of the “hot spots” for thieves are Modesto, Stockton, Visalia, San Diego, Oakland and Sacramentoâ€â€Âall ranking in the top ten nationally for vehicle thefts.