H.E.A.T. registrations help Jasper achieve 24 percent decrease in auto theft in 2007

The Southeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force stolen vehicle statistics from 2007 show a 6.5% drop in auto thefts for the year. Jasper County had a 24% decrease for the year with 35 thefts.

The region's most impressive decrease was posted by the City of Beaumont, which reported 458 thefts, a 16.5% decrease from 2006.

Jefferson County shows a 6% decrease with 903 thefts in 2007, while Orange County also shows a 6% decrease with 284 thefts in 2007. Hardin County had a 3% drop with 96 auto thefts for 2007.

"We could not be more pleased with these numbers," said Roger Ross, an investigator with the Southeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force. "The task force can only credit these results to the work of all law enforcement officers in our area and increased public awareness."

The Southeast Texas' top ten stolen vehicles for 2007 were:

1. Ford full size truck 2. Chevrolet full size truck 3. Dodge full size truck 4. Toyota Camry

5. Honda Accord

6. General Motors full size truck

7. Chevrolet Impala 8. Ford Explorer 9. Toyota Corolla

10. Ford Ranger

The task force has five steps for the citizens of Southeast Texas to prevent auto thefts and burglaries. They are as follows:

• Always lock your vehicle's doors and take your keys.

• Use auto theft deterrent devices.

• Park in well-lighted areas.

• Keep all valuables and packages stored out of sight.

• Register with the Texas Help End Auto Theft (H.E.A.T.) Program.

For more information on auto theft prevention call Investigator Roger Ross at 842-6341 ext. #28.

H.E.A.T. registrations are available online at www.watchyourcars.com.