A Free Way To Help End Auto Theft

A car is stolen every five and a half minutes in Texas! Don't be an easy target for car thieves! Saturday, June 29th from 9:00am to 12:00pm, the Victoria Police Department's H.E.A.T. (Help End Auto Theft) program will offer free vehicle registration and VIN etching at Parkway Baptist Church (4802 John Stockbauer Drive). Any vehicle owner in Texas can register their vehicle in the HEAT program. A vehicle registered with HEAT will have decals placed on the front and rear window. Statistics show that most vehicles are stolen between 1:00am and 5:00am. These decals authorize law enforcement officers to stop the vehicle between 1:00 and 5:00am anywhere in the Lone Star State. The vehicle ownership will also be verified anytime the verified anytime the vehicle passes from Texas into Mexico.

VIN Etching: every vehicle has a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate on the dash board. Auto thieves can easily replace these with new, fake plates. When the windows are etched with the VIN, a thief has to replace all the windows and dispose of the glass, costing the criminal time and money. So when the thief sees the etching, he will likely move on to another vehicle. Etching may also increase the resale value of your vehicle, and some insurance companies offer a discount for etched vehicles (check with your auto insurance company).

You will nee to have a current driver's license, proof of auto insurance, and the registered owner must be present. More information on the HEAT and VIN Etching programs can be found by clicking here.