Pennsylvania Automobile Theft Prevention Authority Introduces Website

6 November 1998
Pennsylvania Automobile Theft Prevention Authority Introduces Website
    MECHANICSBURG, Pa., Nov. 6 -- Getting information on how to
prevent having your vehicle stolen just got a little easier.  Simply hop on
the Internet and go to http://www.watchyourcar.org and you're ready for a
lesson in vehicle theft prevention.  That's the website address for the
Pennsylvania Automobile Theft Prevention Authority and it's chock full of
useful, practical information including frequently stolen vehicles, types of
auto theft, and a test to determine just how much protection your vehicle
needs.  The first page of the site features an animated car complete with
thief who runs on screen, jumps into the car, and drives off.
    "We had been thinking about a website for some time," said ATPA Executive
Director Roy Miller.  "We think it's user friendly and includes information
that will make people want to go back and visit it again."
    In addition to prevention tips and the protection test, there are links to
websites such as the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Plus, the ATPA's website
tells you what they're doing to prevent vehicle theft.  One page lists each of
the law enforcement and prosecutorial units that the ATPA funds across the
state.
    "Vehicle theft costs Pennsylvanians $300 million each year," said Miller.
"Knowing how to protect your vehicle is vital to avoid the high cost,
inconvenience, and victimization of theft.  Our website tells anyone who's
interested just how to protect their investment."
    For more information on the ATPA website, contact ATPA Public Relations
Director Sara McLin at 717-975-9074.
    The Pennsylvania Automobile Theft Prevention Authority was established in
1994 through a unanimous vote of the state legislature.  The authority is
funded through insurance company assessments (no taxpayer dollars are used)
which are in turn granted to investigative and prosecutorial units across the
Commonwealth to actively fight automobile theft.  For more information on how
to fight automobile theft, call the ATPA at 1-888-777-ATPA (2872).