VAN NUYS : Decals to Be Used Against Car Theft

Van Nuys residents will have a chance to literally stick it to would-be car thieves Wednesday by enrolling in a free anti-car theft program that uses decals to help identify stolen cars.

The event--to be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Mid-Valley Family YMCA at 6901 Lennox Ave. in Van Nuys--will feature sign-ups for the Combat Auto Theft, or CAT, program. Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department will sign up those who live in the area served by the Van Nuys police station.

“The city had 72,000 cars stolen last year,” said Lt. Pat Conmay, of the Burglary Auto Theft division. “This is another tool that helps patrol officers identify stolen cars.”

The CAT program issues yellow stickers to motorists that allow police to stop vehicles between 1 and 5 a.m., when most cars are not in use and most auto thefts occur, police say.

Normally, motorists must venture to their local police station to enroll in the CAT program, but YMCA officials said positive word of mouth prompted them to bring the program to the community.

One of those spreading the word about the CAT stickers is Ken Worthen, a board member of the YMCA. Worthen, who said he is not often out after 1 a.m., already has one.

“As a matter of fact, within the first month of getting the sticker, I was pulled over,” Worthen said. “I was coming back from a late meeting and they were just verifying ownership. It was great.”