[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 25 (Thursday, February 25, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SNOHOMISH COUNTY AUTO THEFT TASK FORCE

  (Mr. LARSEN of Washington asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the 
Snohomish County Auto Theft Task Force for its success in combating 
vehicle theft in my district.
  Recently, the task force was recognized as the top auto theft 
recovery team in Washington State by the Washington Auto Theft 
Prevention Authority. While vehicle thefts across the State decreased 
20 percent in 2009, Snohomish County led the way with a remarkable 29 
percent decline.
  The Snohomish County Auto Theft Task Force is an example of law 
enforcement agencies working together to make a difference in our 
community. The Snohomish team is made up of detectives from the Monroe, 
Marysville, and Lynnwood police departments; the Washington State 
Patrol; the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, the Snohomish County 
Prosecutor's Office, and, most recently, the Tulalip Tribes.
  Through this partnership, the task force disrupted the operation of 
26 chop shops and theft rings over the past year alone--tracking down 
stolen vehicles, arresting those responsible, and helping make sure the 
bad guys were convicted.
  Since forming in 2008, the Snohomish County team has convicted over 
100 people and recovered 82 vehicles with an estimated value of $1.5 
million along with $337,400 worth of stolen property.
  At a time when budgets are stretched thin, we should not forget the 
needs of law enforcement or of the work of our prosecutor's office in 
making sure these folks are behind bars.

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