NEWS
February 28, 1995
Launching a statewide program to combat vehicle theft occurs not a moment too soon. The problem has become so widespread and has grown so fast that it demands the aggressive type of approach planned by the new Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council. Similar efforts in Michigan and California have been successful.Earlier this month, the vehicle theft prevention council awarded $983,000 for public education programs around the state. About half the money went toward initiatives in Baltimore City and Baltimore County, the jurisdictions in the metro region with the highest vehicle-theft rates by far.One key initiative is the city-county task force to analyze the theft problem and devise solutions.
NEWS
By Elaine Tassy and Elaine Tassy,Sun Staff Writer | August 12, 1995
In a widening attack on the thousands of motor vehicle thefts in the Baltimore area each year, a joint city-county police task force will be more than doubled in size next month.Its work, along with that of prosecutors, will be aided by $369,000 in grants accepted this week by the Baltimore County Council from the gubernatorially appointed Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council.The task force, formed in January with $245,000 in state grants, began with 14 officers and focused on the west side of Baltimore City and Baltimore County.
NEWS
By Laura Barnhardt and Laura Barnhardt,sun reporter | April 5, 2007
After a year with the lowest levels of serious crime in more than two decades, the number of robberies, arson and vehicle theft increased last year in Baltimore County, according to statistics released yesterday by county police. Overall, serious crime was up more than 4 percent in the county last year, with robbery up about 18 percent, arson up nearly 16 percent, and motor vehicle theft up about 13 percent, county police said yesterday. At the same time, those crimes were going down by about 2 percent statewide, according to the 2006 annual preliminary crime figures recorded by the Maryland State Police.
NEWS
By Dail Willis and Dail Willis,SUN STAFF | January 15, 1998
Crime in Maryland dropped by 7 percent, according to preliminary figures for the first nine months of 1997 -- a trend driven by significant declines in Baltimore and Washington.But the news was not so good in some regions. On the Eastern Shore, and in Southern and Western Maryland, crime increased significantly in several categories. No single cause was apparent, but officials said growth in those areas was a factor.Where crime declined, law enforcement officials and experts pointed to community policing, information sharing and efforts aimed at high-crime areas.
NEWS
By New York Times News Service | February 25, 2007
SEATTLE -- Three cars a week, sometimes four. Usually nice ones. Even a patrol car now and then. He said he stole them for the thrill and because he was high. Part methodical technician, part methamphetamine addict, part scavenger, Taylor J. Norton, 22, had a way with getting away with it, the authorities say. Until now. "He says he stole 200 to 300 cars," said Rebecca Hover, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's office in Snohomish County, north of Seattle. "Whether he's correct, we don't know yet. This is what he's telling us. His attention to detail has been quite clear and concise so far."
NEWS
March 12, 1998
IN YOUR Feb. 26 editorial "Radio-free Parris," you have some misconceptions concerning the mission of the Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council and our plan to reduce vehicle theft in Maryland, whatever it takes.If this means recruiting the governor to be our lead spokesman, so be it. After all, he is the leader of the state, and we were honored that he would take the time to assist us.An independent evaluation of the council's program was conducted in 1996 by the Schaefer Center for Public Policy at the University of Baltimore.