Law Enforcement

How H.E.A.T. works with Virginia’s law enforcement agencies:

After signing on as an Operation HEATWave agency, H.E.A.T. offers the following tools in which to fight vehicle theft at no cost:

Literature and Promotional Items
VIN Etching Equipment and Staff for Event Availability
Display Vehicles for Local Events
Enforcement and Surveillance Tools
Award Programs –
- Operation HEATWAVE – Recognizes partnering agencies for their achievements with public awareness activities and promotion of the H.E.A.T. Program.
- LEO Awards – Law Enforcement Officers throughout the state are selected for their special efforts in auto theft reduction including Intelligence, Prevention, Enforcement, and Recoveries.
- Operation Summer H.E.A.T. - The Top Fifty Patrol Officers with the highest combination of auto theft arrests and vehicle recoveries during the peak months of auto theft June, July, and August will be presented with awards.

H.E.A.T. is a cooperative effort of the Virginia Department of State Police, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, and local law enforcement agencies throughout the Commonwealth.
The program was established with the passage of Senate Bill 870 by the 1991 General Assembly.
H.E.A.T. went online with an announcement from the Attorney General's Office on March 13, 1992.
The program operates in a manner similar to Crime Solvers, Crime Stoppers and the Drug Hotline.
The toll-free number is 1-800-947-HEAT (4328).
Citizens call the toll-free number to report information concerning the theft of vehicles or vehicle parts or chop shop operations (one of the main targets of the program). Chop shops disassemble stolen motor vehicles and sell unnumbered, untraceable parts to repair shops.
Callers remain anonymous throughout the process.
Information received from callers is passed on to the local agency (police or sheriff's department) in the jurisdiction where the illegal activity is taking place.
Callers who supply tips leading to arrests are eligible for rewards of up to $25,000.
The Virginia State Police Auto Theft Unit is available to assist local agencies in cases involving multi-jurisdictional operations or conspiracies.
Virginia was the third state to adopt this type of proactive program. Michigan and New Jersey also have similar programs, which have been very successful.