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Sheriff’s
Combined Auto Theft Task Force |
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Contacting
the Agent in Your Area
SCATT
is a 17 county Auto Theft Task force funded by the Auto Theft
Prevention Authority that helps decrease the number of auto thefts throughout
the region. The task force works auto theft cases, theft of heavy equipment,
completes 68-A inspections, performs salvage inspection, trains law enforcement
personnel in recognizing a stolen car, as well as helps educate the public on
what they can do to decrease the possibility of having their vehicle stolen.
SCATT is headquartered with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.
SCATT
512-854-9735
VIN (vehicle identification number) etching is a
relatively new deterrent for auto theft.
When etching the VIN number of a vehicle, a stencil is made of the
vehicles VIN number that is placed on the window of the vehicle. A acid is then applied over the VIN number
that permanently etches the VIN
number into the window. The etched
number is about ¼ inch high, and is placed in the lower corner of the
window. Due to the fact that the number
is placed in the lower corner of the window, it does not block the driver’s
sight at all.
Having your vehicle etched is a good deterrent for auto theft for several reasons. If someone is looking to steal a vehicle, they will be more likely to take one that does not have the windows etched versus one that does. Why is this so? Well, if a car thief is looking to sell the parts of the vehicle for money, they will not be able to sell the windows because of the etching. Also, if a car thief is looking to keep the car but change the identity by swapping the VIN plate and the license plates, he/she will have to get all new windows as well so that the vehicle does not have the correct VIN number in a visible place. Replacing the windows in a vehicle can cost several thousands of dollars. Having your vehicle VIN etched also counts as an insurance discount! Many insurance agencies will give their customers anywhere from a 5% - 15% discount on their policy because they consider having the windows etched a security device.
SCATT
offers free VIN etching and HEAT registration throughout the 17 participating
counties. Contact Kelly Hibbs at
512-854-9735 for further questions.
Click Here for a listing of
upcoming Etching and HEAT Registrations
Texas HEAT (Help End Auto Theft) is a voluntary statewide vehicle registration
program designed to deter auto theft.
Participants of HEAT sign an agreement stating that their vehicle may be
stopped by any law enforcement agency between the hours of 1:00AM and 5:00AM so
that the officer can verify that the driver of the vehicle is the registered
owner. These hours were chosen because most vehicles are stolen between the
hours of
STATISTICS
For a list of the top 10 stolen vehicles in