N.Y. Gov. Pataki Announces $4.3 Million in Grants to Combat Auto Theft and Fraud

Governor George E. Pataki has announced $4.3 million in grants to 27 programs to reduce motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud across New York State. The funding will be distributed to programs that provide law enforcement agencies with specialized training, enhanced prosecution and sting operations that target incidences of auto theft and insurance fraud.

The grant monies are provided from funds collected by auto insurance companies from each vehicle that is insured in New York State. A $5.00 fee is paid for every passenger and commercial vehicle insured in New York.

“New York State has achieved historic reduction in auto theft by giving law enforcement the tools they need to target areas where the incidence of motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud are prevalent,” Governor Pataki said. “These grants will provide communities with enhanced resources to prevent auto theft and insurance fraud which cost New Yorkers and the auto insurance industry millions of dollars each year.”

Director of Criminal Justice Chauncey G. Parker said, “Auto theft is a crime that disrupts lives and poses significant costs for all New Yorkers. By targeting the organized trading of stolen cars and parts, police and prosecutors can reduce auto theft and incidences of insurance fraud.”

He said New York State has made progress in its efforts to reduce the incidence of motor vehicle theft. Over the past nine years, auto theft had been reduced by 62.5% statewide. In contrast, nationwide auto theft has been reduced by 19%. Additionally, insurance claim costs in New York fell nearly 13% during the first three quarters of 2003, and according to the Insurance Information Institute, the average injury claim payouts in New York dropped 12.9%.

27 grants were awarded through a competitive request for proposal process administered by the Motor Vehicle Theft and Insurance Fraud Prevention Board, chaired by Criminal Justice Director Chauncey Parker.

The twenty-seven communities receiving grants include:

New York City
Bronx County Office of the District Attorney
$225,000
The Bronx County District Attorney will continue the coordination of law enforcement efforts to reduce motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud and provide specialized prosecution of such cases.

Kings County Office of the District Attorney
$260,000
The Kings County District Attorney is receiving funds to continue the coordination of law enforcement efforts intended to reduce insurance fraud and provide specialized prosecution of such cases.

City of New York Police Department
$320,000
The New York City Police Department will continue targeted law enforcement efforts in cooperation with the New York City district attorneys in order to reduce motor vehicle theft and motor vehicle insurance fraud.

New York City Sheriff’s Department
$80,000
The New York City Sheriff’s Department will continue their auto theft unit and enhance their ability to recover stolen vehicles in a timely manner and return vehicles to victims of theft before insurance claims are paid.

New York County Office of the District Attorney
$150,000
The grant award will allow the District Attorney to continue the coordination of law enforcement efforts intended to reduce motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud and provide for specialized prosecution of such cases.

Queens County Office of the District Attorney
$552,500
The Queens County District Attorney will continue their successful coordination of law enforcement efforts that target organized crime of motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud and provide specialized prosecution of cases.

Richmond County Office of the District Attorney
$74,000
The Richmond County District Attorney will continue the coordination of law enforcement efforts intended to reduce motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud and provide specialized prosecution of such cases.

Statewide Training Agencies

New York Anti-Auto Theft and Fraud Association
$120,000
The New York Anti-Auto Theft and Fraud Association will continue to provide informative and effective training seminars on motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud to law enforcement personnel on a statewide basis.

New York Prosecutors Training Institute
$99,451
The New York Prosecutors Training Institute will continue to provide effective training and prosecutorial programs on motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud to prosecutors and law enforcement personnel throughout New York State.

Suburban New York

Nassau County Police Department
$90,000
The Nassau County Police will continue targeted law enforcement efforts intended to reduce motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud.

Nassau County Office of the District Attorney
$235,000
The Nassau County District Attorney will continue the coordination of law enforcement efforts intended to reduce motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud and provide specialized prosecution of such cases.

Suffolk County District Attorney
$230,000
The Suffolk County District Attorney will continue their successful initiative that coordinates law enforcement efforts that target the organized crime of insurance fraud and provide specialized prosecution of such cases.

Westchester County Office of the District Attorney
$462,500
The Westchester County District Attorney will continue the coordination of law enforcement efforts that are intended to reduce motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud and to provide specialized prosecution of such cases.

City of Yonkers Police Department
$100,000
The Yonkers Police Department will continue targeted law enforcement efforts intended to reduce motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud.

Upstate New York
City of Albany Police Department
$40,000
The Albany Police Department will continue targeted law enforcement efforts intended to reduce motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud.

Albany County District Attorney
$160,000
The Albany County District Attorney will continue to coordinate law enforcement efforts intended to reduce motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud and provide specialized prosecution of such cases.

City of Buffalo Police Department
$80,000
This funding will enable the Buffalo Police Department to dedicate a detective to investigations and enforcement initiatives designed to reduce the incidence of motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud.

Town of Cheektowaga Police Department
$35,000
The Cheektowaga Police Department will continue targeted law enforcement efforts intended to reduce motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud through enhanced investigation.

Erie County District Attorney’s Office
$160,000
The Erie County District Attorney’s Office will continue the coordination of law enforcement efforts intended to reduce motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud and provide specialized prosecution of such cases.

Monroe County District Attorney’s Office
$142,549
This new award will allow the Monroe County District Attorney to initiate the coordination of law enforcement efforts intended to reduce motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud and provide specialized prosecution of such cases.

City of Rochester Police Department
$50,000
The Rochester Police Department will continue targeted law enforcement efforts intended to reduce motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud.

Niagara County District Attorney’s Office
$120,000
The Niagara County District Attorney will continue to coordinate law enforcement efforts intended to reduce motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud and to provide specialized prosecution of such cases.

Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office
$120,000
The Onondaga County District Attorney will continue the coordination of law enforcement efforts intended to reduce motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud and the provision of specialized prosecution of such cases.

City of Syracuse Police Department
$50,000
The Syracuse Police Department will continue targeted law enforcement efforts intended to reduce motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud.

Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office
$160,000
The Rensselaer County District Attorney will continue the coordination of law enforcement efforts intended to reduce motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud and provide specialized prosecution of such cases.

Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office
$65,000
The Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office will continue the coordination of law enforcement efforts intended to reduce motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud and provide specialized prosecution of such cases.

Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office
$100,000
The Schenectady County District Attorney will continue the coordination of law enforcement efforts intended to reduce motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud and provide specialized prosecution of such cases.