HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8085 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. W85
nxTEq August 12 1997
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Au g
uji
r� Subject: LOJACK-STOLEN VEHICLE TRACKING SYSTEM
Chief Thomas R. Windham has received a letter from David M. Griffith regarding the LoJack
stolen vehicle recovery system. Griffith is the commander of the Motor Vehicle Theft Service of
the Texas Department of Public Safety. Griffith explained in his letter that the State of Texas
had entered into a contract in September, 1996, with LoJack Corporation to implement their
stolen vehicle recovery system in Texas. Fort Worth, Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston were
selected as target areas for this system. Commander Griffith advised that a LoJack representative
would be contacting the Fort Worth Police Department in the near future.
Under the terms of this contract with the State of Texas, LoJack Corporation would furnish the
computer equipment, software, training, and maintenance for the system at no cost to the State of
Texas. In addition LoJack would furnish tracking equipment, free of cost, to state and local law
enforcement. LoJack has entered into this same agreement with fourteen other states and has
recently begun operating in Texas. At this time, 19 police agencies in Texas have committed to
participating in this program.
LoJack Corporation sells and installs these transmitter units in a consumer's vehicle for a one
time cost of $595, with no other associated monthly fees or charges. This transmitter is
programmed with the vehicle's identification number and is a permanent installation. LoJack has
joined a computer to the National Crime Information Center system which will recognize a
LoJack equipped stolen vehicle by this number and cause the concealed transmitter to be
activated. This activation occurs within seconds of stolen vehicle information being entered in
NCIC by the reporting police agency. Tracking units installed in police vehicles receive the
signals from these transmitters and patrol officers are directed to the stolen vehicle.
An evaluation of this system for effectiveness and possible adoption'by the Fort Worth Police
Department was done shortly after receiving Commander Crriffith's letter. The tracking system
was tested over a two week period by auto theft personnel. Vehicles were equipped with
activated transmitters and then hidden in a variety of places throughout the city (including closed
buildings). Other personnel were then given mobile tracking units and instructed to locate these
concealed vehicles. With only a few minutes of training, these personnel were able to locate the
hidden vehicles in every test situation. The efficiency of each search was improved as police
personnel learned to coordinate both the visual and audible signals of the tracking unit.
Police in Massachusetts, Illinois, and California were contacted for information regarding their.
experience with the LoJack system. These agencies have been involved with this tracking system
for a total of 23 years and have experienced no problems with this system. Sergeant Jack
Doherty stated the Boston Police Department has been participating in the recovery system since
1987. He attributed their success in auto theft reduction in part to the effectiveness of this
system. Sergeant Montgomery of the Los Angeles Police also gave a glowing re ort on the
" system. This agency has 18 divisions with four tracking units per division and r t', en
five to fifteen LoJack equipped vehicles per division per month. This system hawn
II w a
r1 P
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH.TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8085
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council August 12, 1997
Page 2 of 3
Subject: LOJACK-STOLEN VEHICLE TRACKING SYSTEM
rats
responsible for identifying 63 chop shops in Los Angeles County in the past six years. Their
current recovery rate for LoJack equipped vehicles is 93.5%, with a 25% arrest rate.
LoJack has proven to be a very effective tool for law enforcement according. to the agencies
surveyed. None of these agencies have reported problems or incurred costs with the Lojack
system.
Under LoJack's proposal, they would be responsible for the following without cost or obligation
to the City of Fort Worth:
1. Furnish and install 50 tracking units in police vehicles and furnish maintenance without
charge to the Fort Worth Police Department.
2. Furnish an additional 5 tracking units as needed for future expansion or improvement in
operations within Fort Worth.
3. Train our personnel in equipment usage at our convenience.
4. Equipment removal and reinstallation when vehicles are replaced, to include sealing holes or
other openings for LoJack equipment.
5. Repair or replacement of damaged LoJack equipment due to vehicular accidents.
6. Replacement of stolen equipment from police vehicles.
The department would deploy the initial 50 Lojack units with 48 units going to patrol vehicles (4
per NPD), and two to auto theft units. Deployed in this manner, the City of Fort Worth will have
broad coverage on a 24-hour per day basis. Any additional Lojack units installed in the future
would be divided evenly among the four geographic patrol divisions.
The LoJack vehicle tracking system being offered to the Texas law enforcement agencies has a
proven performance record. Many times budget contraints reduce our ability to purchase
equipment needed in police work; however, this equipment is furnished and supported without
cost to all law enforcement. Advantages of the LoJack system include: the thief is not aware of
the LoJack transmitter and can be tracked after leaving the crime scene; police are able to track
the stolen vehicle without extended dangerous, high-speed pursuits; prompt recovery of stolen
vehicles and a reduction of loss due to stripping and damage; and auto thefts are deterred by
increasing the risk of arrest.
Without City Council objection the City Manager will execute a letter of agreement with LoJack
Corporation. This agreement has been approved by the City Attorney and would allow the
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. sass
C�pRTER�rO
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council August 12, 1997
Page 3 of 3
* �� M Subject:
18 LOJACK-STOLEN VEHICLE TRACKING SYSTEM
73
installation of tracking devices in Fort Worth Police vehicles without cost or liability to the City
of Fort Worth.
If additional information is desired, please contact Assistant City Manager Libby Watson at 871-
6183 or Chief Windham at 877-8285.
AeffeobT� l
e��y Manager
Col EP
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS