Lojack & NICB Kick Off Second Annual Vehicle Theft Protection Education Initiative
Categories: Industry News Off-Topic Area Moto Security
Organizations Conduct Law Enforcement Survey that Indicates Down Economy is an Increasing Factor Behind Vehicle Theft;
July (One of the Highest Vehicle Theft Months of the Year) is "National Vehicle Theft Protection Month" WESTWOOD, MA - June 25, 2008 -The recent economic downturn appears to be an
increasing factor behind vehicle theft, according to a survey of law enforcement
professionals conducted by LoJack Corporation (NASDAQ: LOJN) and the National
Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), two leading authorities on vehicle theft protection. The
Convenience Sample survey was conducted as part of LoJack and NICB's second annual
vehicle theft protection education initiative, which includes designating July (one of the
highest vehicle theft months of the year) "National Vehicle Theft Protection Month."
According to the survey, nearly 70 percent of law enforcement professionals who responded
indicated that today's challenging economy appears to be an increasing dynamic contributing
to vehicle theft. Those who said they were witnessing a rise in stolen vehicle activity as a
result of the economy cited fraud (including identity theft, smart key duplication, demolition,
insurance fraud), the theft of specific makes and models-especially SUVs, and theft for
scrap metal as underlying reasons. A full 76 percent of respondents indicated that chop
shops, which are run by professional thieves, were a key factor in driving vehicle theft
overall.
Also of note, a majority of the law enforcement professionals (59 percent) surveyed believe
consumers do not take the right precautions to keep their vehicles safe from theft. Below are
the top four mistakes consumers make that leave their vehicles vulnerable to theft, according
to the survey:
- Leave valuables inside the car in plain view
- Leave the vehicle running unattended
- Leave the windows down or vehicle doors unlocked when parked
- Leave keys inside the vehicle or on the vehicle
"As this survey points out, law enforcement considers today's challenging economy an
increasing problem in vehicle theft and that consumers need to learn to keep their vehicles
safe from today's professional thieves," said Patrick Clancy, Vice President of Law
Enforcement, LoJack Corporation. "As vehicle theft heats up in July and August -- with
summer drive vacations on the calendars of millions of Americans -- consumers need to be
particularly vigilant about keeping their vehicles safe. That is why we are kicking off our
education effort now. We want to remind drivers to make sure they hide their luggage, GPS
navigation systems and other valuable items; to not leave the car running unattended to cool
down; and to never leave a spare key in or on the vehicle. Those are just a few of the many
informative tips we are highlighting as part of this education program."
"When vehicle owners are armed with the knowledge of how to protect their vehicles and
the valuables inside, they make it much more difficult for professional thieves-who are
responsible for most vehicle theft- to steal their car or its contents," said Robert Bryant,
President and Chief Executive Officer, NICB. "That's why we believe this education
initiative is so important. We want consumers to understand that for professional thieves,
vehicle theft is a high reward-and at times low risk-crime. But, it's the vehicle owners
who pay the price."
LoJack/NICB Vehicle Theft Protection Program
Now in its second year, LoJack and NICB's Vehicle Theft Protection Program is an
education initiative designed to help owners of cars, motorcycles, construction equipment
and commercial vehicles better understand how to protect their assets from theft. As part of
this effort, the two organizations designated July, one of the highest vehicle theft months of
the year, "National Vehicle Theft Protection Month." The program also includes informative
surveys, seminars, and educational information, such as a booklet entitled "Get in the Know,"
which details the steps owners can take to protect their vehicles from theft. To access the
booklet and other information, visit LoJack's Knowledge Center at
www.lojack.com/knowledge or NICB's website at www.nicb.org and click on "Theft &
Fraud Awareness."
About the Survey
This Convenience Sample survey was conducted in May 2008 at regional auto theft
investigation conferences, monthly auto theft task force meetings and as part of LoJack's
ongoing communications with law enforcement. This survey questionnaire was completed
by 162 law enforcement professionals based in 14 states throughout the United States. They
include police officers, district attorneys, members of the Department of Justice, and
members of auto theft task forces.
About NICB
The National Insurance Crime Bureau is the nation's premier not-for-profit organization
dedicated exclusively to preventing, detecting and defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft
through information analysis, investigations, training and public awareness. Visit
www.nicb.org.
About LoJack Corporation
LoJack Corporation, the company that invented the stolen vehicle recovery market more than
two decades ago, is the global leader in recovering valuable mobile assets. The company's
time-tested system is optimized for recovering stolen mobile assets through its proven Radio
Frequency technology and unique integration with law enforcement agencies in the United
States that use LoJack's in-vehicle tracking equipment to recover cars, trucks, commercial
vehicles, construction equipment and motorcycles. The company's Stolen Vehicle Recovery
System delivers a 90 percent success rate for cars and trucks and has helped recover more
than $4 billion in stolen LoJack-equipped assets worldwide. Today, LoJack operates in 26
states and the District of Columbia, and in more than 30 countries throughout North America,
South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Visit www.lojack.com
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