Texas Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority recognizes LPD for efforts in auto theft reduction at State Conference
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Jul 16, 2013, Comments Off
Courtesy Joe Baeza,
LPD Auto Theft lands new grant for new enforcement efforts
(Laredo, Tx)-The Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA) recently held its Annual Summit in San Antonio, Texas on June 24 – 28, 2013. The ABTPA bestowed an LPD Auto Theft Task Force Detective with the STEVE DAVENPORT AWARD & also the STAR AWARD to an LPD civilian employee. The Steve Davenport award was given to Detective Juan Perez, a 14 year veteran police investigator whose been with the auto theft division for almost 2 years. The Davenport award goes to an ABTPA grant law enforcement officer who has demonstrated outstanding service and dedication in fulfilling ABTPA’s Mission and Vision. LPD civilian employee Arcelia L. Elizondo, an administrative assistant who’s been with the Laredo Police Department for 10 years, was bestowed with the ABTPA’s star award. The STAR award is an honor given to civilian employees for their outstanding service and dedication in fulfilling ABTPA’s Mission and Vision.
Chief Raymond Garner met with the two honorees and personally congratulated them and their supervisors for a job well done. Additionally at the ABTPA’s Annual Summit the LPD Auto Theft task force learned they were receiving a grant in the amount of $433,514.00 this coming fiscal year. The ABTPA Grant Advisory Committee (GAC) looks at all applicants and assesses which jurisdictions and agencies are in need of grant enforcement monies and which agencies have a proven track record with past monies and placing it to good use in reducing auto theft rates. ABTPA GAC felt the Laredo Police Department have excelled in their auto theft reductions rates in past years and wanted to continue to enhance that capability by helping Laredo PD in their mission to reduce Auto Theft in Laredo.
The city of Laredo was once ranked #1 in auto thefts in the US back in 2009. The National Insurance Crime Bureau has just released its 2013 Annual Report and the city of Laredo, Texas is enjoying its third consecutive year of auto theft reductions. The Laredo Police Department Auto Theft Division has achieved success along with the assistance of the hard working uniformed police division who has also made numerous arrests that have made a tremendous difference in auto theft rates. Additionally the LPD Auto Theft Task Force proactively educates prevention as a major key component to drastically reducing auto thefts in the city. There are various ways to minimize a person’s opportunity to have their car stolen. One important way is registering one’s vehicle with the H.E.A.T. (Help End Auto Theft) program which is free of charge.
