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New York State's motor vehicle theft rate has decreased approximately 52% since 1991. However, this crime still has a staggering economic impact on the residents of the state. Motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud are major problems in this State costing motor vehicle policyholders billions of dollars annually. It is reported by the insurance industry that the average cost per person on their insurance premiums due to these crimes is 10% or $200.00. In 1994, recognizing the extent of the problem, the New York State Legislature established the Motor Vehicle Theft and Insurance Fraud Prevention Board. The Board's responsibility is to award grant funding to demonstration programs for investigation, prosecution, prevention and education programs on motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud. The New York State "Watch Your Car" Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Initiative utilizes two programs to aid in the reduction of these crimes: The Decal Program and the VIN Etching Program. 
The "Watch Your Car" 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. decal program is modeled after successful programs in Texas, Illinois and Michigan. This national program allows participants to voluntarily register their vehicles with a law enforcement agency in their community. Registered participants will display the "Watch Your Car" decals in the windows of their vehicle. By displaying the decals, vehicle owners convey to law enforcement officials that their vehicle is not usually in use between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., when the majority of motor vehicle thefts occur. If a police officer witnesses the vehicle in operation between these hours, the officer has the authority to pull it over and question the operator. Through the "Watch Your Car" registration files, the police officer will be able to determine if the vehicle has been stolen or not. The program will also allow law enforcement officials to notify the vehicle's owner immediately upon determination that it is being illegally operated. Utilizing this registration system will greatly aid law enforcement officials in the investigation and recovery of stolen vehicles. 
One decal is placed on the front window, lower right passenger side. This decal contains all legal information and notification that it is a federal offense to remove the decal without the owner's permission.
A second decal is placed on the rear window. This decal contains no verbal information, but simply serves as a beacon to law enforcement officials that the vehicle is registered with the "Watch Your Car" program
The VIN Etching Program allows owners of motor vehicles to have the windows on their vehicle acid-etched with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The etching is done by a local law enforcement agency and is supported by a software program from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). Each window of the vehicle is etched with the VIN number thus making it less desirable to a thief. The etched number is very difficult to remove from glass, which, in turn, makes the vehicle less valuable to the "chop shop". |
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The top ten stolen vehicles in New York are:
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