Letter from Susan Sampson

In February, the Texas Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA) became an office of TxDOT.
This restructuring recognized the need for more direct communications between the Governor-appointed ABTPA board and the new TxDOT administration.

ABTPA board chair Mike Gerik turned the gavel over to ABTPA's new board chair, Chief Carlos Garcia, Brownsville Police Department. Mike served for eight years on the ABTPA board and we are so grateful for all his contributions. Mike is the executive vice president of the Texas Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company and vice president/state manager of the Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company. His efforts on behalf of the Authority and its law enforcement task forces around the state are appreciated. Thank you, Mike, for all you have done to help reduce vehicle-related crimes in Texas.

Mark your calendars for the annual "Watch Your Car" month, coming up this July. ABTPA's task forces will be out in your community spreading the word on how to protect your vehicle and, most importantly, your well-being, against auto burglars and thieves. For more information on "Watch Your Car" and prevention tips, go to www.txwatchyourcar.com.

Regards,

Susan Sampson

Director

Brownsville Chief of Police Named Board Chair

ABTPA congratulates Chief Carlos Garcia on his appointment as the new Board Chair. Garcia is the Chief of Police for the City of Brownsville, a position he has held since June 2001. He joined the department in August 1981. Garcia also served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1993, he graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va. He received a degree in criminal justice from Pan-American University.

We look forward to working closely with him in continuing the ABTPA mission to reduce auto burglary and theft in Texas.

ABTPA Welcomes New Board Members

Three new representatives, appointed by Governor Rick Perry, have joined the ABTPA board.

Linda Kinney is from Dripping Springs, Texas. A retired State of Texas employee, Kinney was employed with the Texas Employment Commission, which is now the Texas Workforce Commission. She is the Chairman of the Hays County Republican Party and has been involved in county and state politics for many years. Kinney is married to Wally Kinney and they have two grown daughters, Emily, an attorney in San Antonio, and Sara, who is attending graduate school at Fordham University in New York.

Ken Ross, a State Farm Agent with over 25 years experience in the insurance business, bases his office in La Marque. He is a Life member, and board member, of SHSU Alumni; a Life member of Alpha Phi Alpha; a member of 100 Black Men, Houston Chapter. Prior to the insurance industry, Ross was a Police Officer for the Huntsville Police Department for five years. He is married to Debra J. Ross and has five children, Anthony, Antoine, Kenneth ll, Kendra and Kendahl. Ross attributes his success to his strong faith in God, his family and the loyal and skilled staff in his Agency.

Margaret "Jerry" Wright, CPS of El Paso is a Senior Associate, Executive Administration of TVO North America. She is the board chair for the Professional Administrative Assistant Program (PAAP) Advisory Committee of El Paso Community College and serves on the board of the YMCA and Central Business Association. Wright is also a member of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). She received a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and is a graduate of Leadership El Paso.

ABTPA Partners with Department of Homeland Security

ABTPA, along with the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Department of Homeland Security are working together to reduce vehicle crimes in targeted regions along the Texas-Mexico border.

The operation draws resources from across the state to support the U.S. Border Patrol, including local law enforcement; Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, criminal intelligence personnel and Texas Rangers; Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens; and Texas Military Forces personnel and equipment, including fixed wing aircrafts, and a large arsenal of helicopters with night vision capabilities.

Twenty-five vehicular international bridges connect Texas to Mexico, but the traffic that moves between the two often does so with little regard to bridges and roads or rules and law. Organized gangs are becoming increasingly brazen, stealing vehicles and moving them from one side of the border to the other; chopping them up and selling them for parts, using them to smuggle both drugs and human beings, and even exporting them overseas.

"The problem is serious, and it's escalating." said Susan Sampson, Director, Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority. "ABTPA is looking forward to working on the Governor's initiative to help reduce crime along the border."

ABTPA Recognizes Task Force Representatives

Protect Your Property and Car Parts

The Texas Action Council on Theft (TACT) says, "Label it or lose it." Burglary and auto theft are a neighborhood's most frequently committed crimes. TACT allows citizens the chance to fight back by offering permanent identification labeling of valuable property in your home, office or vehicle parts. These tamper-proof labels are permanently and invisibly identified with a number traceable by the police. For more information, call 800.286.9801 or get an order form at www.texasactioncouncil.org/tactord.htm.

Important Dates to Remember

Board of Directors Meetings
(all meetings begin at 9:00 a.m.)

Wed., June 18, 2008 - Austin/FY 2009 Grant Review

Tues., Oct. 7, 2008 - Corpus Christi/in conjunction with TAVTI Conference

Tues., Jan. 29, 2009 - Austin

Thurs., March 19, 2009 - Austin

FY 2009 Annual Conference will be hosted by Harris County. Details coming soon.

The Texas Department
of Transportation works
to create and maintain
the safest, most
convenient and efficient
transportation
infrastructure in the
country. In that pursuit,
we have five goals: