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2001 Summit on Auto Theft in Florida
The first annual Summit on Auto Theft in Florida was held in Tampa on September 24-25. This Summit brought together some of the most talented individuals available in the field of auto theft prevention, enforcement, investigation, education, judiciary, insurance and law to address the serious, ongoing problem of auto theft in our state.
Summit on Auto Theft Emerges as Strong Resource For Reducing Auto Theft
Colonel Christopher Knight
F.A.C.T. Chairman
Director, Florida Highway Patrol
Along with everyone at the Florida Anti-Car Theft Committee (F.A.C.T.) and the Florida Auto Theft Intelligence Unit, I extend my thanks to all sponsors, attendees, exhibitors and presenters. The sponsors of the Summit included USAA, Progressive Insurance, AAA Auto Club South, State Farm Insurance, National Insurance Crime Bureau, Powerlock, and Florida Crime Prevention Association.
The goals of the Summit were two-fold: (1) to provide participants with information about the state of car theft in Florida, and (2) to take advantage of so many talented individuals and organizations from both public service and private industry who gathered to consider solutions for dealing with the crime.
Through the sharing of enforcement, prevention and education techniques, attendees came away from the Summit more unified in Florida’s ongoing battle against auto theft.
The encouraging results of a survey completed by participants at the Summit showed: (1) that an overwhelming majority of attendees were able to strengthen their network regarding auto theft as a result of attending the Summit, (2) that they learned something new in the field of auto theft prevention as a result of the sessions and (3) that they would overwhelmingly be interested in attending again next year.
The future of reducing and preventing auto theft in Florida is encouraging as a result of this year’s conference, and our resolve will only strengthen as more participants and organizations come together at the 2002 Summit on Auto Theft in Florida, planned for Sept. 15 – 17 in Tampa. Mark your calendars now, and check back to the F.A.C.T. Web site for registration information.
Again, thank you to all the dedicated individuals who are “Part of the Solution” to Florida’s auto theft problem.
Sincerely,
Colonel Christopher Knight
2001 Summit Sponsors
Photo Gallery
OPENING SESSION
"The State of Auto Theft in Florida"
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Colonel Christopher Knight (at podium), F.A.C.T. Chairman and Director, Florida Highway Patrol led the Summit’s opening session, “The State of Auto Theft in Florida,” and outlined the progress Florida has made during recent years to combat auto theft statewide.
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Colonel David Gee (at podium) of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office offered welcoming statements to Summit attendees and reviewed various efforts to reduce auto theft.
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Chief Bennie Holder (at podium) of the City of Tampa Police Department also welcomed attendees to the city and addressed the seriousness of auto theft and Tampa’s efforts to reduce the frequency of this crime.
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James Sewell, Regional Director of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (at podium) addressed issues from both the law enforcement and the public perspective and presented various solutions being utilized and planned by the law enforcement agency for reducing auto theft in Florida.
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"Expansion of Organized Crime in to Auto Theft"
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During the session on "Expansion of Organized Crime into Auto Theft," panelists considered the impact of organized crime and its complexities as it relates to auto theft.
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"Consequences of Juvenile Involvement in Auto Theft"
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"Consequences of Juvenile Involvement in Auto Theft" panelist Lieutenant Mike Fewless of Orange County Sheriff’s Office explained the Juvenile Arrest and Monitor Unit (J.A.M.) developed to provide intense supervision for juveniles assigned to probation.
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DAY 2, Sept. 25
"The Judicial System's Effect on Auto Theft"
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(Left to right) Joseph Larrinaga, Chief Assistant, Statewide Prosecutor’s Office; Judge Robert Evans, Juvenile Justice Center, Ninth Judicial Circuit and Lieutenant Mike Fewless, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, lent their considerable expertise as panelists during the session, "The Judicial System’s Effect on Auto Theft."
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"Auto Theft's Impact on Insurance Industry"
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(Left to right) Ron Poindexter, Supervisory Special Agent, National Insurance Crime Bureau; Drew Walston, Head of Claims, Progressive Insurance Company and Terry Upman, Investigator, Department of Insurance, Division of Insurance Fraud strategized about "Auto Theft’s Impact on the Insurance Industry" and efforts to curb insurance fraud.
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"Investigative Techniques, Resources, Training and Theft Deterrence Technology"
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Sergeant Todd Garrison (at podium), Lee County Sheriff’s Office moderated the session "Investigative Techniques, Resources, Training and Theft Deterrence Technology" where the latest auto theft prevention information was examined.
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"Agencies Working Cooperatively to Reduce Auto Theft"
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Sheriff Rodney Shoap (front center) of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office discussed the positive impact of communicating with other agencies during the session on "Agencies Working Cooperatively to Reduce Auto Theft."
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Breaks
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Colonel Christopher Knight, F.A.C.T. Chairman addressed Summit attendees and asked them to “Be Part of the Solution” to help reduce auto theft in Florida with their commitment to join and get involved with the Florida Anti-Car Theft Committee.
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(Left to right) Lieutenant Greg Terp, Miami-Dade Police Department and Chief John Czernis, Florida Highway Patrol contributed to the Summit’s success.
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Media Coverage
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Photo Gallery
Summit Emerges as Strong Resource
— by Colonel
Christopher Knight
2001 Summit Sponsors
2002 Summit
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