Police Department

Spokane Combats Auto Theft

Sgt. Terry Preuninger, PIO

Thursday, May 23, 2019 at 3:21 p.m.

In response to auto theft issues we face in our community, SPD is continuing to find new and innovative ways to deploy resources and implement strategies as it partners with the community to fight property crimes.

Spokane Combats Auto Theft is a free, voluntary program where vehicle owners enroll their vehicles and authorize law enforcement officials to stop their vehicle during designated hours (1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.) to ensure the vehicle is not stolen. The program is modeled after similar programs in other cities, both in Washington and elsewhere in the United States

Once a vehicle owner completes a waiver, a police representative affixes the Spokane Combats Auto Theft decal (pictured above) in the vehicle’s rear window. The completed waivers are filed with SPD’s Records Bureau and an alert with the license plate number is entered. Officers who see a vehicle with a sticker being driven between the hours of 1:00 am and 5:00 am will verify that the vehicle is currently registered in the program. SPD will attempt to contact the owner of the vehicle by phone. In addition to contacting the registered owner by phone the officer will stop the vehicle to confirm whether the driver has legal standing to operate the vehicle In most cases this will mean the driver is the registered owner or has the registered owner’s permission to drive the car.

Vehicle owners are responsible for notifying the department before sale, transfer or disposal of their vehicle. They are also responsible for removing the decal from their vehicle.

Community members interested in participating in the Spokane Combats Auto Theft program must visit SPD’s North Precinct/C.O.P.S. Northeast (5124 N. Market St.) during business hours to complete a waiver and have the decal affixed. All of the listed registered owners the vehicle must be present to sign the waiver and agree to participate in the program.

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