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Free Vehicle VIN Etching in Pittsburgh

22 July 1999

The Automobile Theft Prevention Authority Offers Free Vehicle VIN Etching in Pittsburgh; Vehicle Identification Numbers Etched Onto Vehicle Windows as a Means of Theft Prevention

    PITTSBURGH, July 22 -- The Automobile Theft Prevention
Authority (ATPA) along with the Pittsburgh Police Auto Squad, Allegheny County
District Attorney and the Pennsylvania State Police Western Auto Theft Task
Force will be holding a free VIN etching.  The event will be held on Saturday,
July 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, PA.  A
pre-event press conference will be held at the Civic Arena on Friday, July 23,
1999, at 11:00 a.m.
    This is the first VIN etching in Pittsburgh.  VIN etching is a proven
theft deterrent, where the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is etched onto
all the vehicle windows.  Would-be thieves resist stealing a vehicle that is
VIN-etched because that vehicle is more easily identified and, if stolen, all
glass must be replaced in order to remove traces of the VIN.
    This is a free service provided by the ATPA, Pittsburgh Police, Allegheny
County District Attorney and the Pennsylvania State Police.  ATPA staff, state
and local police officers, city employees and volunteers from local insurance
companies will etch the VIN on the first 400 vehicles (weather permitting).
The ATPA encourages you to spend some time with them on Saturday afternoon to
help protect your vehicle.
    Pre-event questions should be directed to ATPA Executive Director Roy
Miller, at 717-975-9074.