Summary of Responses to Export of Stolen Vehicles Across Land Borders
The table summarizes the responses to the problem of auto theft for export, the mechanism by which these responses are intended to work, the conditions under which they ought to work, and some factors you should consider before implementing the suggested response. It is critical that you tailor responses to local circumstances, and that you can justify each response based on reliable analysis. As noted earlier, an effective strategy might involve implementing several different responses, and you are therefore encouraged to take this into consideration. Also, keep in mind that law enforcement responses alone are seldom effective in reducing or solving the problem.
| Response No. | Response | How It Works | Works Best If… | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Police Responses | ||||
| 1 | Paying close attention to high-risk parking facilities | Directs police attention to the lots that require more patrolling and that might be made more secure | ....the analysis is conducted regularly and the highest-risk facilities are given priority; risk assessments account for the lot's distance to a freeway | Police must work closely with the facilities' owners and managers to ensure needed security improvements are made |
| 2 | Increasing public awareness | Citizens are made aware of the problem and their potential vulnerability | ....public information campaigns focus on specific high-risk models and provide detailed advice about preventing theft | Publicity campaigns are often more valuable as a way of reassuring the community than of preventing crime |
| 3 | Encouraging citizens to cooperate with police in vehicle checks | Involves the community in efforts to reduce vehicle theft | ....there is extensive community participation and initial successes are heavily publicized in the local area | The program can serve as a valuable public relations tool and can reduce fear of theft among participating citizens |
| 4 | Encouraging use of vehicle-tracking systems | The technology transmits real-time information to the police about the vehicle's location; this assists in recovery and serves as a deterrent to thieves | ....the vehicle hasn't left the country; the technology works over a wide area and is used by many law enforcement agencies | The systems are not affordable for many citizens. The technology's effectiveness is reduced once the vehicle crosses the international border |
| 5 | Using "bait vehicles" with tracking devices | Bait vehicles with remote control technologies are planted in high-theft areas and tracked once stolen | ....it results in the arrest of the thieves; potential thieves are made aware of the risk of choosing a bait car and are thus deterred from theft | The vehicles used might need to be changed regularly to avoid predictability |
| 6 | Working to establish a task force that focuses on the international trade in stolen cars | Agencies at the local, state, and federal levels cooperate to enhance investigations leading to arrests for theft of vehicles for export | ....strong partnerships are forged not just between U.S. law enforcement agencies, but also with those in Mexico | Law enforcement priorities across agencies can be different; this might serve as a hindrance if common priorities are not established |
| 7 | Employing "DUI" checkpoints before the border | DUI checkpoints have proven effective in arresting individuals for a variety of crimes, including motor vehicle theft. Vehicles failing to stop would be pursued | ....the checkpoints are deployed at random times and at different points on roads leading to the border | These constitutionally allowable police tactics would offer a partial solution to the difficulties of checking cars at the border crossings |
| Other Agency Responses | ||||
| 8 | Repatriating vehicles by treaty | A formal stolen vehicle recovery method is used | ....there is close cooperation among the U.S. Consulate, the FBI, and the NICB. The time of recovery and repatriation does not extend over several months | The delays in repatriation have sometimes resulted in law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border making use of informal agreements to recover stolen vehicles |
| 9 | Employing automatic license plate readers (LPRs) at border crossings | The readers provide real-time vehicle information to the Customs and Border Protection network, identifying stolen vehicles by cross-referencing it against a stolen vehicles database | ....mobile readers are deployed in a random fashion. LPRs are deployed not just at the border but also on roads leading to the border | License-plate readers are sometimes inaccurate; many cars are driven across the border before their theft is reported |
| Responses with Limited Effectiveness | ||||
| 10 | Intensively monitoring all border crossings | Checking a high volume of vehicles at border crossings and on the international bridges at peak times | ....this does not cause any significant border crossing delays and does not require extensive police or other resources | If it works at the specific border crossing, examine the possible displacement to nearby border crossings and bridges |
Free Bound Copies of the Problem Guides
You may order free bound copies in any of three ways:
Online: Department of Justice COPS Response Center
Email: askCopsRC@usdoj.gov
Phone: 800-421-6770 or 202-307-1480
Allow several days for delivery.
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