West Valley : LAPD’s CAT Stickers Deter Auto Theft

Improbable as it sounds, police say a little, yellow sticker might save your car from theft.

Even better, that sticker won’t cost a penny come Saturday at the Vons market parking lot, 18135 Sherman Way in Reseda.

West Valley Division officers who run the Combat Auto Theft program--a voluntary effort--say it works something like this: A car owner fills out a registration form with name, address, phone number, vehicle identification number and license number. He also signs a one-page waiver that explains the program and allows police to stop his car without probable cause during peak car-theft hours.

In return, the owner is issued a bright-yellow, crest-shaped window sticker bearing the image of a cat and the words “Combat Auto Theft.” Each sticker has its own serial number.

“With the sticker in the back window of your vehicle, you are basically giving any officer in Los Angeles the right to stop you for no reason between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.,” said West Valley Officer Mark Pryor. “We know that vehicles are broken into and stolen more often in those hours than any other time of day.”

Officers can then trace the sticker’s serial number to ensure that the rightful owner is driving the car.

While nothing is foolproof when it comes to preventing car theft, Pryor described the CAT sticker as an additional law enforcement tool.

“It’s like the Club [security device]. It’s like an alarm. If two cars are identical, the thief will pick the easy one. The CAT is a deterrent.”

The sign-up takes less than 15 minutes. More than 5,000 West Valley residents are already participating.

The sign-up will take place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Vons parking lot. If it is raining, the new date will be Jan. 27 at the same time and place.

For information, call the West Valley Division at (818) 756-9891.