 |
|
|
|
Photograph by George Sakkestad
Members of the Santa Clara County Regional Autotheft Taskforce check under the hood of a Prospect student's car during last week's educational program during the school's summer school session.
Taskforce offers teens words of wisdom
Education is primary focus of the program
By Jason Baker
If you are under 18 and have a penchant for taking property that doesn't belong to you--particularly automobiles--the Santa Clara County Regional Autotheft Taskforce would like to make your acquaintance.
According to county officials, about 70 percent of the auto thefts investigated are attributable to juveniles. In response to the problem, county law enforcement officials late last year created the Autotheft Taskforce program, in hopes of educating the youth of the county on the dangers of attempting to steal or possessing stolen property. Officers also work to let students know the severity of punishment county prosecutors have in store for those who are caught breaking the law.
Funding for the program comes from Department of Motor Vehicles registration fees. Officers assigned to the taskforce each week select a different school and notify administrators that they will be on campus for the program. Representatives meet with students as they leave school for lunch or at the end of the school day to inform them of the facts and consequences related to car theft.
"We educate students on ways to make themselves less vulnerable to theft, and encourage them not to be afraid to report it," said Detective Kevin Smith, taskforce spokesman.
Smith said the taskforce is strictly an education program, not a sting operation. However, sometimes students who might be doing things that are not so legal find themselves face to face with more than just a friendly policeman and a warning about hot cars.
Photograph by George Sakkestad
One young man got special attention when a drug pipe was found in his car.
On July 7, taskforce officers arrived at Prospect High School's summer school program to meet with students on campus during the noon hour. Officers ended up writing two citations for vehicles found in code violation and detained two students who were found in possession of drug paraphernalia. Smith said officers took no enforcement action against the students, and turned the cases over to Prospect administrators.
Since the taskforce's creation, Smith said, auto thefts have decreased 30 percent countywide. Juvenile offenders also are being prosecuted with more severity, with some multiple offenders receiving and serving significant sentences with the California Youth Authority.
Parents or students with questions regarding the program can contact the Santa Clara County district attorney's office or taskforce representatives at 299-3853.
|
|
|
|
Saratoga, California Since 1975
