FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Decal Program Aims to Curb Car Thefts

The Police Department is now offering a program to residents to help reduce the number of vehicles stolen in the city.

Beginning today, Fountain Valley residents can enroll in Operation Combat Auto Theft at the Police Department, 10200 Slater Ave.

There is no fee for enrolling.

Under the program, residents will receive a Combat Auto Theft decal to place on their vehicles, which allows police officers to stop a driver in the early morning hours to investigate the status of the car, Police Sgt. Darryl Nance said.

Nance said the decal allows officers to stop vehicles without probable cause during the hours of 1 to 5 a.m.

Typically, most vehicles are stolen during those early morning hours, according to Nance.

In addition, vehicles with the decal may also be stopped by police in other cities that have the program.

Increasing auto thefts in Fountain Valley prompted the program, officials said.

“Auto theft has continued to be a plaguing problem,” Nance said.

In the past 10 years, thefts of vehicles have risen dramatically.

For example, in 1981 there were 111 auto thefts reported in Fountain Valley.

In 1991, the number of stolen vehicles increased to 358. There were 433 thefts last year.

Residents interested in signing up for the anti-theft program must bring their vehicle, along with a current Department of Motor Vehicles registration and driver’s license, to the Police Department, which is open to the public Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More information is available by calling (714) 965-4485 or the Police Department’s Auto Theft Unit at (714) 965-4460.