Eugene Police cracking down on car thefts
EUGENE, Ore - According to Eugene Police, 3,500 cars were reported stolen in the last 3 years. The police department is launching a new voluntary program called ‘CAT’ (Combat Auto Theft) to crack down on car thefts.
Police reviewed how the program worked in Salem for eleven years before jump starting it here.
“As we were looking at property crime impact strategies this looked like a great opportunity to utilize a program that has been successful in other places,” said Debbie Janecek, Eugene Police crime prevention manager.
Eugene residents voluntarily register for the program by filling out an application. Police issue a “CAT” decal sticker to the car owner for them to place in rear window of their vehicle.
Displaying a sticker on a vehicle gives police permission to pull the car over if it is being driven on the road between the hours of 1 am and 5 am, to determine if the vehicle is stolen.
Applications for the Eugene Police CAT program are available at the following police stations:
1. City Hall
777 Pearl St. Room 107
2. West University Station
791 East 13th Ave
3. Monroe St. Station
788 West 6th Ave
