Vehicle Theft Prevention Council

About the Vehicle Theft Prevention Council

To combat the rising number of vehicle thefts, the Maryland General Assembly established the Vehicle Theft Prevention Council in 1994. The Council has adopted a statewide strategy focused on public awareness, juvenile vehicle theft, and law enforcement and prosecution, to be implemented through a grant award process.

Get tips on how to protect and prevent vehicle theft.

Goals

The Council awards grants statewide to support a variety of programs aimed at combating motor vehicle theft. These programs include initiatives to:

Reduce motor vehicle theft.
Improve the administration of laws related to motor vehicle theft.
Improve or create programs to prevent vehicle theft by juveniles.
Enhance prosecutorial efforts against vehicle theft.
Inform motor vehicle owners about the financial and social costs of vehicle theft.
Educate the public on methods for preventing motor vehicle theft.

In developing a statewide vehicle theft prevention strategy, the Council has embraced the following programmatic approach based on past experiences and efforts in other states which have proven effective in vehicle theft prevention.

Grants and Education

The Council has a plan of operation - PDF and works to prevent vehicle theft through grants and education by:

Stopping thefts and improving enforcement through program support
Implementing prevention and treatment initiatives for juvenile offenders
Educating the public on vehicle protection
Strengthening laws and analyzing theft trends
Funding enforcement, prosecution, and community-based efforts

The Vehicle Theft Prevention Fund, established in the Public Safety Article is a non-lapsing dedicated fund. Each year, $2 million from insurance penalty fees goes into the fund. Grants are available to law enforcement, local governments, prosecutors, juvenile services, and community and business organizations to support programs that prevent, deter, or educate the public about vehicle theft.

Council Members

The Council consists of 13 members appointed by the Governor. The Council includes representatives of law enforcement, prosecutors’ offices, automobile insurers, state government and the general public.

Ex Officio Members

Colonel Michael A. Jackson, Acting Secretary, Department of State Police, Chair
Carolyn J. Scruggs, Secretary, Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services
Betsy Fox Tolentino, Acting Secretary, Department of Juvenile Services
Christine Nizer, Administrator, Motor Vehicle Administration

Regular Members

James V Aluisi, Community Representative, Anne Arundel County
Neil Schachter, Community Representative, Baltimore County/ Baltimore City
Marjorie (Missy) Coyne, National Insurance Crime Bureau (NCIB)
Victor E. Epps, Nationwide Insurance Company, Foreign Insurance Carrier Representative
Hon. Scott Shellenberger, State's Attorney for Baltimore County
Martin A. Hammond III, Representative, Office of the Governor
Phillip V. Lee, Community Representative, Prince George's County
Vacant, Auto Insurer - Domestic
Vacant, Law Enforcement

Council Staff Members

Christopher T. McDonold, Executive Director
Elena Russo, Director, Dept. of State Police Office of Media Communications
Ashley Millner, Deputy Director, Dept. of State Police Office of Media Communications

Forms, Reports and Laws

Grantee Forms

Other Forms

Helpful links

State vehicle theft prevention organizations