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Illinois motorists who do not normally drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. can now participate in a program to help keep their vehicles from being stolen. A special Beat Auto Theft (BAT) decal, available for $5 from Secretary of State Police, can be displayed in the rear window to give police officers permission to stop and determine ownership of the vehicle during those hours. BAT is modeled after several programs enacted around the country in recent years. Here's how it works:
A vehicle displaying the BAT decal and being operated between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. may be stopped by any law enforcement officer in Illinois. The officer will ask the driver to produce a valid driver's license and motor vehicle registration card. If the driver cannot produce these documents, the officer will investigate further to determine if the person is in fact the registered owner or has the owner's permission to operate the vehicle. Following are some frequently asked questions about the program.
What if I want to register more than one car?
What if a friend borrows the car?
What if I need to use the car during those hours and
am stopped?
How do I withdraw from the BAT program?
Is the BAT program successful?
October 1995 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 19
Is BAT the best auto-theft prevention program? Legislation creating the BAT program passed the General Assembly in 1993 and became effective in 1994. We are now implementing the program with a $200,000 grant from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. The Illinois Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Council is helping administer the program. Auto theft is the #4 property crime in the nation. The value of all stolen vehicles was nearly $7.5 billion in 1993. Illinois ranked fifth in the nation for its motor vehicle theft rate that year. However, this state is making headway. In 1993, approximately 65,000 auto thefts occurred in Illinois, a 6 percent decline from the previous year. Anyone who wants a form or has any questions may call the toll-free phone line or write to the Beat Auto Theft Program, Secretary of State's office, Department of Police, 324 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62756.
G. "Joe" Serangeli I am pleased to announce that G. "Joe" Serangeli, Mayor of Eureka and former director of my Human Services Department, is continuing to serve the Secretary of State's office as my liaison to municipal governments. Serangeli already has shared his wealth of knowledge and experience with many local officials. He has expanded the reach of the Secretary of State's office by simply making people and local officials aware of what services the office can provide. For example, his department developed a viable interface with more than 16 regional municipal associations. He provided informational programs about the grant process for local libraries, formation of limited liability companies and securities fraud and telemarketing. Serangeli is in his fifth term as Mayor of Eureka. He serves as chairman of the Woodford County Mayors Association and secretary/treasurer of the Tri-County Mayors Association in Central Illinois. He is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and is active with Air Force retirees in five states as a member of the USAF Retirees Council. I hope municipal officials will continue to keep us abreast of the needs of municipal governments. We are eager to continue our strong partnership with all who serve at the municipal level ... for that is when the needs of our citizens are best met. • Page 20 / Illinois Municipal Review / October 1995 |
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