Division I
Henrico County Division of Police
Each Spring and Fall, hundreds of thousands of fans converge on the Richmond International Raceway for NASCAR Busch and Nextel cup racing. This past year, the Henrico County Division of Police continued their presence at these events, helping staff the H.E.A.T. trailer and distributing auto-theft prevention information. Henrico officers also assisted with four VIN etching events in the months of June and October. Among many other activities, Henrico reached: 67,000 people through a link to the H.E.A.T. homepage from the Division’s website; 214,000 people with an auto-theft prevention TV spot; and 24,000 more with a H.E.A.T. educational poster displayed in county schools. In addition, the Henrico County Division was chosen by the H.E.A.T. Advisory Board to pilot the initial presentation of a new H.E.A.T. Driver’s Education Curriculum.

Division II
Orange County Sheriff’s Office
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office cranked H.E.A.T. up to full speed, setting up displays at multiple community events including the Orange County Street Festival and even the Sheriff’s office itself. The Sheriff’s office also sent officers to be trained in auto theft prevention and investigative strategies. In December, the office commissioned “H.E.A.T. Awareness Patrols”– officer teams who cruised parking lots to hand out H.E.A.T. promotional materials and advise citizens to secure vehicles against auto theft. Community involvement included filling 500 Halloween bags for grade school children and placing H.E.A.T. posters in retail locations. In 2003, a proclamation was passed by 28,000 citizens – September was declared Operation H.E.A.T. Wave month in Orange County.

Division IV
Wythe County Sheriff’s Office
In Wythe County last year, it didn’t matter if you were attending a Kiwanis Club meeting, picking up your new driver’s license at the courthouse, shopping at the mall or cheering at the local racetrack, the Sheriff’s Office made sure H.E.A.T. was right there, too – reaching people of all ages and interests with auto theft prevention messages. The annual hospital health fair even incorporated handing out H.E.A.T items with checking for car seat safety. Stepping up more than just public awareness, the Sheriff’s Office made over 28 vehicle recoveries. From basic traffic violations to anonymous tips, Wythe County used every possible resource to recover vehicles and make arrests.

Division V
Newport News Police Department
In Newport News, H.E.A.T. was discussed at more than 55 Crime Watch meetings over the past year. VIN etchings at Patrick Henry Mall and a car show increased exposure. New tenants in apartment complexes at high-risk for auto theft were also targeted through distribution of auto theft prevention materials. Last August, the Progressive Insurance Company donated a 1998 Mazda 626 to the department for use as a bait car, complete with a GPS system funded by a H.E.A.T. grant. In addition to recovering several vehicles, 22 of which were stolen from Budget Rental Car, the Newport News Police Department responded to February auto thefts with a public service announcement on Channel 3, warning citizens warming up cold vehicles not to leave them running and unattended.

Division V
TIED
Portsmouth Sheriff’s Office
Operation H.E.A.T. Wave was in full throttle at the Portsmouth Sheriff’s Office, targeting all areas of the community. Before school let out for the summer, Mount Hermon Elementary Schools held a carnival where H.E.A.T. brochures, pencils and key chains were handed out to attendees. The Sheriff’s Office targeted summer camps to reach teens, and handed out program materials and educational information at H.E.A.T presentations for local churches. Participation in multiple anti-drug and community events included “Whooping Against Drugs,” and Portsmouth and Westmoreland’s National Night Out events. The overwhelming presence and hard work of the Portsmouth Sheriff’s Office paid off with a 22.6% decrease in vehicle thefts from 2002 to 2003.

Division VI
Roanoke City Police Department
In September 2003, the Roanoke City Police Department conducted its first Auto Theft Suppression Class, open to all Virginia law enforcement agencies and culminating in a VIN etching at Valley View Mall of 69 vehicles. Responding to a new Roanoke City ordinance for moped registration, officers also hosted moped registration events. Six Roanoke officers received awards in the Summer H.E.A.T. Wave program – a program that recognizes the top 50 uniformed patrol officers throughout the state for their efforts in combating auto theft in the months of June, July and August. Among other H.E.A.T. efforts, the Department produced a public service announcement for local government cable access television showing how quickly vehicles can be stolen if keys are left inside them.

Division VII
Arlington County Police Department, Division VII
Arlington rolled out the H.E.A.T. program to the masses this year. Flyers distributed in December 2003 at the Pentagon City Mall on vehicle safety reached approximately 1,000 people, and vehicle thefts in that area for that reporting period (November 2003 through January 2004) were down 43% from 2002. H.E.A.T. was promoted at multiple civic association meetings as well. In February, four individuals were arrested for trying to steal the Department’s bait vehicle. In response to a March news release, local television stations covered the bait car program during the 11 p.m. news broadcast. For the February to April 2004 period, vehicle thefts fell from 167 during the previous year’s reporting period to 108 this year.