Program will prevent auto theft

Brownsville Police and the Texas Insurance Council have unveiled a crime prevention campaign meant to curb auto theft in the area.

The "LOCK, TAKE AND HIDE" program involves signs that read, "LOCK your car, TAKE your keys and HIDE your belongings."

"As we approach the holiday season, we tend to see an increase in burglaries and car thefts," Police Chief Carlos Garcia said. "That is why it is very important that we ensure that our belongings are protected."

Mark Hanna, spokesman for the Texas Insurance Council, said that the message is simple.

"If they take this message and apply it, there is a large probability that their vehicle will be safe," Hanna said.

The program is in place throughout Texas, including cities such as Austin, Houston, Laredo, Del Rio and now Brownsville, the spokeman said.

Hanna represents 500 insurance companies in Texas and said that auto thefts are a major concern in the Brownsville area because of the city's proximity to Mexico.

"If someone leaves their car keys in the car, it just makes it that much easier," he said. "All they have to do is take it, drive it to Mexico, collect a couple hundred of dollars for the car and go back for another one."

Garcia said that Brownsville averages 300 burglaries and 25 to 30 auto thefts each month and those statistics have been reduced from previous years. However with this campaign, he expects to see a reduction of 15 to 25 percent in the next few months.

"In 1999, when I was in the auto theft task force, we had 1,600 car thefts," Garcia said. "Last year, we had 454. This program, in partnership with our existing programs and in partnership with the citizens of Brownsville, will help us reduce this type of crime."