Theft

Vehicle theft in Maryland increased by 143% from 1984 to1994. To counter this escalating trend, the Maryland General Assembly created the Vehicle Theft Prevention Council in 1994 as a statewide planning and dedicated funding resource. The Council embraces a statewide strategy directed at public awareness, vehicle theft by juveniles, law enforcement and prosecution through a grant award process. This strategy has proven to be highly successful in reducing vehicle theft rates throughout the State of Maryland.

Since creation of the Council in 1994, overall vehicle theft rates in Maryland have been reduced by over 36% for an estimated economic savings of $70,000,000.

The Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council has the following duties and responsibilities in carrying out its mission:

• To make grants and awards from the Fund for motor vehicle theft intervention programs;
• To solicit and accept funds for deposit to the Fund to be used to carry out the purposes of the Council;
• To establish or assist in the establishment of programs designed to reduce the incidence of vehicle theft and related crimes;
• To identify priorities for theft prevention strategies in the State and criteria for the Council’s evaluation of recipients receiving assistance from the Council;
• To study and propose laws that will further prevent and deter vehicle thefts and related crime

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