Manitoba Auto Theft Initiative Earns International Recognition

Alex Vizer | December 10, 2009

The Winnipeg Auto Theft Suppression Strategy (WATSS) was named as a finalist for the 2009 Centre for Problem-Oriented Policing Goldstein Award, earning the initiative global recognition.

A total of 44 submissions were made for this year’s award and WATSS was named as one of the six finalists, the first Canadian submission to do so since 2002.

Launched in 2005, WATSS is a partnership between Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI), Manitoba Justice and Winnipeg Police Services that is designed to keep auto theft in check until the use of immobilizers becomes more widespread.

More than 80% of Manitoba’s auto thefts occur in Winnipeg and approximately 70% of those crimes are committed by youth, most of whom are young offenders.

Since its inception, WATSS has reduced auto theft in Winnipeg by 70%. As a result, there were 9,000 fewer vehicles thefts and attempts in 2009 than in 2004. MPI CEO Marilyn McLaren said that having 9,000 fewer vehicles stolen have saved MPI approximately $25 million in claims in just one year.

The WATSS initiative includes intensive community supervision by probation workers and strict enforcement by the Winnipeg Police Service and its stolen auto unit. The monitoring and curfew program can include mandatory daily interviews and checks as frequent as every three hours. Supervision is stepped up dramatically for those who enter the high and very high risk groups, which account for 30% of all auto thefts in Manitoba.

“Exceptional work has been done within WATSS and I am really glad to see that this has been acknowledged in such a meaningful way,” said Winnipeg Police Service Chief Keith McCaskill. “Auto theft is not just a property crime. It’s an important public safety issue that requires continued attention and we remain committed to addressing auto theft.”

The WATSS team makes as many as 8,000 contacts per month with individuals in the program, and failure to comply with its conditions results in swift action by specialized Crown attorneys. WATSS also promotes a community based intervention strategy that seeks to turn low-risk offenders away from auto-crime.

Compulsory vehicle immobilizers are also used, and MPI’s McLaren credits them as an important part of WATSS’ success. “Manitoba Public Insurance’s immobilizer program is a key part of WATSS,” McLaren said, “we estimate the strategy has helped save our customers more than $102 million in claims, making it possible to reduce premiums for rate payers.”

The Goldstein Award is named after Professor Herman Goldstein of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Professor Goldstein conceived and developed the theory of problem oriented policing, which consists of innovative and effective policing projects that have achieved measurable success in resolving recurring specific crime, disorder or public safety problems faced by police and the community.

The Centre for Problem Oriented Policing is dedicated to advance the concept and practice problem oriented policing by making readily accessible information about ways in which police can more effectively address specific crime and disorder problems. The 2009 Goldstein Award was ultimately awarded to the Chula Vista Police Department in San Diego County, California.

WATSS’ submission to the Centre for Problem Oriented Policy can be viewed here:

http://www.popcenter.org/library/awards/goldstein/2009/09-42(F).pdf