March 13--Local law enforcement agencies and county attorneys in the metro are being awarded $3.8 million in grant money from the Minnesota Department of Commerce to thwart car theft.
On average, 23 cars are stolen daily in Minnesota, according to the department. In 2010, nearly 8,400 cars were stolen, totaling more than $21.3 million in stolen value.
"Every year, auto theft impacts the lives and finances of thousands of Minnesotans, and steals from wallets of every consumer in the form of higher insurance premiums," said Commissioner Mike Rothman.
Twenty-one county attorneys and organizations will get the money through continuation of Minnesota's Auto Theft Prevention Grant Program.
Among the metro recipients are the St. Paul, Roseville, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park and Minneapolis police departments; Anoka, Ramsey, Washington and Hennepin county attorneys; Hennepin and Washington county sheriff's offices and the Anoka County Joint Law Enforcement Council.
The St. Paul police department is getting more than $373,000 and plans to put it toward overtime for investigators, officers and staff, according to commerce officials. It also will be used to train 11 auto-theft investigators, the purchase of two bait cars, maintenance and program expenses, contract services and a confidential informant fund.
Copyright 2012 - Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.
