Los Angeles Police Department to Host VIN Etching Event NA23082dm

WHAT:
VIN Etching Event

WHEN:
Thursday, July 20, 2023
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Event Time
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Media Availability

WHERE:
The Garden Center
570 Ave 26
Los Angeles, CA 90065
(cross street San Fernando Road)

WHO:
Veronica Casarez, Staff for State Senator Maria Elena Durazo, District 26
Carlos Arce & Julia Macias, Staff for Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo, District 52
Allen Woods, American Automotive Association (AAA)
LAPD Northeast Command Staff
LAPD Northeast Division Auto Detectives

WHY:
LAPD Northeast is continuing its monthly VIN Etching and Marking events. The July event is sponsored by Mujeres de la Tierra, a community-based organization focused on building grassroots community leadership and capacity among historically unrecognized communities, especially among those that are low-income, immigrant, and/or communities of color.

This VIN Etching Event will feature the newly acquired Insta-Etch Mark 3 etching device that was obtained with Grant Funds. This marking device represents the state of the art for etching VIN numbers as it is hand-held, portable and Bluetooth enabled.

In addition, LAPD will highlight the use of “Marked by LAPD” templates that are intended to act as a high visibility deterrent to prevent catalytic converter theft. Detectives use high temperature spray paint to mark catalytic converters. Marking catalytic converters will assist investigators to identify stolen catalytic converters if found in the possession of cat thieves or at a metal recycling center.

A static display will also be on hand for Anti-Theft devices, to include Cat Shields and Cat cable cages, the most common tools used by catalytic converter thieves, and effective car alarms to combat catalytic converter theft. Representatives from AAA as well as the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) will also be on-hand to discuss insurance and catalytic converter claims and the effect of these losses that are passed on to all other policyholders.

Interested residents and business owners can call (323) 561-3259 to book an appointment, which are going fast. Ask for Officer Jonathan Lai regarding available times. Detective Ventura will be on hand to answer questions regarding Catalytic Converter thefts and best strategies to protect car owners from being victimized.

CONTACT:
For questions about the event, contact Detective III Michael Ventura, at (323) 561-3257, or 30741@lapd.online for media.