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H.E.A.T Celebrates Twelve Good Years Fighting Auto Theft

9 October 1997

H.E.A.T Celebrates Twelve Good Years Fighting Auto Theft

    H.E.A.T (Help Eliminate Auto Thefts) Director Credits Law Enforcement,
              Auto Insurance Companies and Citizens For Success

    DETROIT, Oct. 9 -- In 1985, the state famous for building
automobiles was becoming infamous for auto theft.  Victimized by carjackings
reaching epidemic proportions and one of the nation's highest auto theft
rates, Michigan citizens searched for ways to end this dreadful plague and
H.E.A.T (Help Eliminate Auto Thefts) was created.
    Under the leadership of H.E.A.T Director, William Liddane, this
trailblazing organization has worked tirelessly for the past twelve years
coordinating citizen action with law enforcement through the operation of a
confidential tip line (800-242-HEAT).  Funded by Michigan's auto insurance
companies, the H.E.A.T tip line offers cash rewards to anonymous callers who
provide information on auto related crime.
    Liddane credits H.E.A.T's longevity to its effectiveness.  "Simply put,
H.E.A.T works," said Liddane.  And H.E.A.T's statistics bear this out.  Over
the past dozen years, the H.E.A.T. tip line has received 5,088 calls leading
to the arrest of 1,919 suspects -- nearly the equivalent of one arrest every
other day -- many of them violent predators whose next target was anyone's
guess.  H.E.A.T tips have also resulted in recovering 2,226 vehicles valued at
$23,904,164.
    "The success is attributable to three ingredients," says Liddane, "the
support of Michigan's insurance companies, law enforcement organizations and
citizens.  This formula has produced some very tangible results including a 30
percent reduction in carjackings in Detroit over the last three years.
H.E.A.T tips have also assisted in capturing some of Michigan's most violent
carjackers including Quintas Smith, Daniel Markum and two carjackers
responsible for Jason Guzick's murder."
    Alliance building also plays an important role.  This year, H.E.A.T teamed
with Ameritech Cellular Services to set up *HEAT, an airtime free non
emergency number and Metro Detroit Service Station Owners and Associated Food
Dealers of Michigan to promote public awareness.
    To commemorate H.E.A.T's accomplishments and honor the organizations and
individuals who have contributed to the program's success, HEAT is hosting an
anniversary breakfast and awards ceremony at Detroit's Ponchatrain Hotel,
Wednesday, October 15 at 8:30 a.m.  This year's keynote speaker is John
Di Liberto, President of the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
    For more information regarding the H.E.A.T anniversary breakfast and
awards ceremony or to obtain materials on carjacking and auto theft contact
LovioGeorgeInc. at 313-832-2210.

SOURCE  Help Eliminate Auto Thefts