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Bill to get tough on auto
thieves heads to governor
A measure co-sponsored by
Rep. Kirk Pearson to create tougher penalties for car thieves
was passed by the House of Representatives. The bill now awaits the
governor’s signature. The Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority
Bill,
House Bill 1001, was the product of an eight-month-long bipartisan
task force to address the ever-growing crime of auto theft.
“It’s time we deal with this crime and all the harm it does to working
families,” said Pearson, R-Monroe. “Not only have we seen car thieves
leading law enforcement on high-speed chases and endangering innocent
bystanders, but families are being affected emotionally and financially
by this crime.”
Many believe car theft is about joy-riding, but it has turned into a
crime that can be quite lucrative for veteran thieves who know the
“ropes” and have escaped punishment, Pearson said.
House Bill 1001 would increase penalties for repeat offenders and allow
for coordinated tracking and arrest of car thieves who travel from
county to county knowing that prosecutors cannot follow their crime
trail across jurisdictions. The bill also includes harsher penalties
juveniles, who can be caught stealing cars as many as seven times
without meaningful punishment under current law. This bill addresses
that issue.
“The National Crime Insurance Bureau reports that the central Puget
Sound region ranks in the top ten of areas with the most auto thefts,”
said Pearson. “It appears that Washington residents are targets because
we don’t have all the enforcement and prosecution tools to keep repeat
offenders off our streets.”
“This legislation would let police jurisdictions work more closely with
other agencies to lead a coordinated effort to protect the citizens of
our state. It would also serve to put car thieves on notice that good
tools are in place to catch and punish them,” Pearson said.
“This is one of the big victories this session for public safety,” said
Pearson. “Everyone worked hard on this bill that folks have told me is
long overdue.”
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