Too often, Arizonans have been victims of auto theft.  Two months ago, I launched a new Internet service to provide a simple but effective way to fight back.  I'm glad to report that use of our “TheftAZ” Web site has steadily increased, with more than 15,000 visitors so far and a current average of 325 a day.

The Web site allows citizens to find out immediately if a car has been stolen by going to theftaz.azag.gov and typing in a license plate number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).  When you click on "Submit Search," a report comes back within seconds stating whether the vehicle has been reported stolen to an Arizona police agency.

If the car has been reported stolen, you will be directed to contact the appropriate police agency.  The phone number for that agency appears on the screen.  Please, notify the police promptly if you locate a stolen vehicle.  Never attempt to confront the driver or take any other direct action.

I hope this new program will be especially useful for neighborhood watch groups, security guards and property owners.  As more people become aware of the site, the number of "hits" should continue to climb.  Arizona HUD official Sally Thomas recently sent the link to owners and agents of more than 300 HUD-insured properties statewide.  I hope others will also help us spread the word. 

By multiplying by thousands the number of eyes looking for stolen cars, this new program will assist law enforcement in reducing our state's high auto theft rate.  It will also shorten the stolen car recovery period.  This Web site will also benefit Mexican law enforcement.  Instead of having to take several time-consuming steps to identify stolen U.S. vehicles in Mexico, they will be able to learn instantly whether a vehicle has been reported stolen in Arizona.

We are only the second state in the country with a consumer-friendly Internet service of this kind (Florida has a similar program).

The auto theft page can also be reached through the AG Web site (www.azag.gov), Department of Public Safety (www.azdps.gov) and the Arizona Auto Theft Authority (www.aata.state.az.us).

The combination of computer technology and concerned citizens can do a lot in the fight against crime.  If you see a suspicious or abandoned car, or if you are thinking of buying a used car and want to be sure it isn't stolen, I encourage you to visit our Web site.  Working together, we can bring down the number of cars stolen in Arizona.

Terry Goddard