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Events and News of Interest
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mitzi Long
September 20, 2007 (817) 488-4098
CRACK DOWN ON CRIMINALS – AUTO BURGLARY
SOUTHLAKE, TX – State Representative Vicki Truitt (R-Keller) announced today a press conference to be held in cooperation with the Tarrant Regional Auto Crimes Task Force (formerly the Tarrant Regional Auto Theft Task Force) on Wednesday, September 26, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. on the front steps of Southlake Town Hall, in Southlake, Texas. Others participating will be Fort Worth Police Chief Ralph Mendoza, Arlington Police Chief Theron Bowman, and Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson, Chairman of the Tarrant Regional Auto Crimes Task Force. Actual footage of a burglary of a motor vehicle using a bait car will be available on CD at the press conference.
Criminals now face tougher penalties for burglary of a motor vehicle in Texas, thanks to Rep. Truitt’s House Bill 1887, which took effect September 1, 2007.
The new law requires that the criminal serve county jail time on a second offense, and the crime becomes a state jail felony on a third conviction. The new bill also adds burglary of a motor vehicle to what was previously the Texas Auto Theft Prevention Authority. The new Texas Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority funds local Task Forces throughout the state, such as the Tarrant Regional Auto Crimes Task Force. The Task Force and local law enforcement agencies are aggressively pursuing the new initiative to crack down on vehicle burglars.
“I’m one of many Texans strongly committed to reducing vehicle burglary in this state,” said Rep.Vicki Truitt. “Increased law enforcement, coupled with prevention and harsher punishment, can reduce auto burglaries. The enactment of this law should make a difference.”
While capturing, prosecuting and imprisoning auto burglars are responsibilities of the local criminal justice system, Metroplex drivers can help prevent auto theft and burglary in the first place.
“Potential thieves can be discouraged from burglarizing and/or stealing a vehicle if motorists hide belongings from eyesight within a vehicle, lock the vehicle, and never leave the keys inside an unattended vehicle,” said Susan Sampson, Director, Texas Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority.
Last year, more than 22,000 vehicles were burglarized in Tarrant County.
Rep. Vicki Truitt is a fifth term legislator from Tarrant County representing Grapevine, Colleyville, Southlake, Keller, Westlake, and parts of Trophy Club and far north Fort Worth. She is Chairman of the House Committee on Pensions and Investments, and a member of the House Committee on Public Health.