IAATI continues to remain strong amidst the world wide economic crisis and the lack of importance placed on continuing the support of an auto theft investigative unit. The economic crisis is evident in the fact that we have not been able to produce the APB over the past year. The faltering economy was not the only reason for not being able to publish the APB; however, it did play a significant part. I believe that we have turned the corner, and in the near future you will see us return to the regular schedule to publishing the APB and have a magazine that you can be proud of.

The latest available statistics for the United States show a decrease in the rate of non- violent property crimes, which includes auto theft. These are the numbers for 2008 when the United States and other countries around the world were experiencing good economic conditions for most of the year. I am sure that these numbers will show an increase for the last part of 2008 and for 2009 as well. The uniform crime report classifies auto theft in both the violent and non- violent category. The classification depends on how the vehicle was acquired.

The crime of vehicle theft will continue as long as we have vehicles. The crimes associated with auto theft more often than not receive the most attention. For instance, a vehicle is stolen and the perpetrator robs a bank and commits a murder. The only crimes that we hear about are the murder and the bank robbery. There is no mention of the vehicle theft because it was a non -violent crime. Auto theft is not a non-violent crime when it is your loved one killed by a suspect committing a vehicle theft.

It is more important now than it has ever been over the past few years not to become content with our progress. We have been instrumental in helping obtain parts marking with anti-theft labels, in helping the National Motor Vehicle Information Titling System becoming a reality, and active in the North American Export Committee. The voice of IAATI is important and is being heard. We need to continue to be able to have a chair at these committees and at future committees. The only way that we will be able to accomplish this task is through your membership in IAATI and participation in your local chapter events. It is important for each member to make sure that his membership dues are up to date and that he recruits new members. The old saying that the “squeaky wheel gets the grease” is so true, and we want to be the squeaky wheel when vehicle theft and related crimes are discussed.

Be safe in your daily routine. Remember that nothing is routine, and we will see you in Orlando in 2010.

Sincerely,
Henry H. Brune, Jr.,
IAATI President 2009/2010