“Things really took a turn for the worse when he decided it would be a good idea to steal a semitrailer truck and make a run across Colorado’s Eastern Plains.”
Source: CPR News
“Things really took a turn for the worse when he decided it would be a good idea to steal a semitrailer truck and make a run across Colorado’s Eastern Plains.”
Source: CPR News
“Police want to remind drivers not to leave their vehicles running unattended in the cold weather. Last month, at least 47 puffer cars were reported stolen in Denver.”
Source: CBS
“DENVER — Bitter cold temperatures often brings a rise in something law enforcement consistently warns against — “puffing.”
Source: 9 News
The Auto Theft Intelligence Coordination Center (ATICC) has prepared the following assessment regarding the occurrence of motor vehicle theft in Colorado, during the period of January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019.
Data used in this report is sourced from the Colorado Stolen Vehicle Database Repository administered by the ATICC. The repository contains records of all stolen and recovered vehicles entered and removed from the Colorado Crime Information Center (CCIC).
“More cars were stolen in Denver last February than any other month.”
Source: Denverite
“11 News reporter Kasia Kerridge embedded with officers this week as they drove around trying to find puffers — before the bad guys did! The ride-along lasted from 6 a.m.-8 a.m.”
Source: KKTV
“A man to whom an Edgewater police officer was going to issue a warning for leaving his vehicle running while it was unattended Thursday morning instead ended up in jail after he allegedly punched the officer in the face.”
Source: Denver 7
“The vehicle was stolen from the 100 block of Gamble Lane just before 7:30 Tuesday morning. Police say the owner left their keys in the ignition with the vehicle running — easy pickings for a crook.”
Source: KKTV
“Puffing is one of the easiest ways to become a statistic. All crooks need are your keys and 30 seconds to make your car their car.”
Source: KKTV
“To raise awareness, the Sheriff’s Office is participating in Colorado Puffer Awareness and Enforcement Week, which begins Sunday and runs through Feb. 1. During Puffer Week, the Sheriff’s Office will be increasing their warnings and citations to those found puffing their cars, with the first offense costing $60.”
Source: KRDO
“The Colorado Auto Theft Intelligence Coordination Center (ATICC) reports there were more than 20,000 vehicles stolen across the state in 2019.”
Source: CBS
“Letting a car idle unattended, known as “puffing,” is generally illegal in Colorado, and starting Jan. 26 law enforcement will crack down on the practice.”
Source: Colorado Politics
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Annie Coghill, 303-547-6692
Carole Walker, Coloradans Against Auto Theft Chair, 303-790-0216
Twitter: @StopAutoTheftCO
Facebook: @ColoradansAgainstAutoTheft
Warm up your car the right way: Don’t leave it running unattended
Colorado Puffer Week awareness and enforcement begins January 26
Denver, Colo. (Jan. 23, 2020) — That telltale puff of exhaust from a car idling on a cold morning is a calling card for auto thieves. Cruising neighborhoods, often in pairs, they look for so called “puffer” vehicles parked in front of homes, apartment buildings and convenience stores. One drives the car; another is ready to bail out at the first sign of a car running unattended. It takes only seconds to jump in, drive off and steal that vehicle.
To help drivers protect themselves from auto theft, Coloradans Against Auto Theft (CAAT) and Colorado Auto Theft Investigators (CATI), in collaboration with Colorado law enforcement and community partners, will participate in “Puffer Week.” Starting Sunday, January 26, this annual statewide awareness and enforcement campaign warns Colorado drivers about the risks and dangers of theft from puffing.
The Colorado Auto Theft Intelligence Coordination Center (ATICC) reports that there were 20,230 vehicles stolen across the state in 2019. Puffer cars contribute to Colorado’s auto theft problem, and they are often involved in subsequent crimes, such as armed robbery, identity theft, home invasion and drug-related offenses. Leaving a car running unattended can result in a domino effect that contributes to the rise in Colorado’s crime rate and puts the community at risk.
While auto theft is a year-round problem, it typically spikes in cold weather months when drivers are more likely to leave their cars idling unattended to warm up. Investigators hear a common narrative when interviewing victims of puffer theft. “‘I just went in to get some coffee.’ ‘I just ran back into the house to get my bag.’ ‘I just left my car for a second.’ That’s all it takes for a thief to make off with your car,” explains Carole Walker, Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Association and CAAT chair. “Our message is simple: ‘Warm up your car the right way. Don’t leave it running unattended.’”
Initiatives like Puffer Week unite the Colorado law enforcement community in the effort to drive down auto theft through education and awareness of common-sense prevention. “Law enforcement continues to combat auto theft but we cannot do it alone,” says Colonel Matthew Packard, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “You must take steps to help prevent auto theft from occurring by locking your vehicle and never leaving it running unattended. Leaving your car puffing gives thieves an easy opportunity to victimize you and commit other serious crimes with your vehicle.”
Puffer Week Enforcement
Puffing your car – or leaving it running unattended – is illegal in Colorado with one exception: Colorado law does exempt vehicles with a remote-start from being ticketed if found running unattended. However, drivers must keep the keyless start fob far enough away from the car that the vehicle can’t be operated.
During Puffer Week, law enforcement increases warnings and citations to those found puffing their cars, with the first offense costing $60. Last year during Puffer Week, law enforcement around the state engaged with more than 660 citizens to help create awareness about auto theft risks due to puffer. “With the help of our partners, we are working to change the way the community thinks about auto theft,” says “It is not ‘just a property crime,’ and our investigators prove it on a regular basis. Auto theft cases are frequently connected to other criminal acts that put the community in danger. Puffer Week is our opportunity to remind citizens not to take that risk by puffing your car.”
Puffer Week Highlights
Puffer Week Enforcement
Leaving a car running unattended can be costly. Stepped-up enforcement means an increase in warnings and citations for drivers leaving their cars running unattended, with fines of $60.
Community Education Efforts
Community outreach is an important aspect of Puffer Week awareness. Law enforcement and CAAT partners will proactively contact members of the community to encourage common sense auto theft prevention, and use social media to connect with their fans and followers. A few examples:
Public Awareness Efforts
10 Tips for Preventing Auto Theft
For one-stop shopping on auto theft prevention information for Colorado, visit the newly redesigned www.lockdownyourcar.org and check out the latest news on the “Lockdown Your Car” Facebook and Twitter pages.
Both CATI and CAAT are funded by the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority (CATPA), a statutory grant program that supports law enforcement, prevention and training programs through the collection of $1.00 for every insured vehicle.
About Coloradans Against Auto Theft (CAAT)
CAAT is a statewide auto theft prevention initiative to raise awareness about the problem and educate the public on what they can do to reduce their chances of falling victim to auto theft. CAAT and the state auto theft task force efforts are funded in part by the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority (CATPA).
About Colorado Auto Theft Investigators (CATI)
CATI is a non-profit association of public, law enforcement and insurance industry investigators concerned with the prevention and investigation of motor vehicle thefts and kindred crimes; to promote the exchange of investigative information; and to create a forum for better communication among investigators in Colorado, the Rocky Mountain Region, and the Nation.
About Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority (CATPA)
CATPA is a state authority that was established by Colorado statute in 2003 to help reduce Colorado’s serious auto theft problem through the award of grant funds. The Colorado law helps ensure that auto theft prevention efforts are targeted. These efforts have resulted in an increase in stolen vehicle recoveries and criminal prosecutions of major organized criminal groups, as well as related crimes.
CAAT Coalition Partners
Colorado auto theft task forces, made up of regional law enforcement agencies, Colorado State Patrol and other motor vehicle safety and insurance partners, are a part of the CAAT coalition to decrease auto theft during this peak auto theft season.
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Media Information
“From January 26, 2020, through February 1, 2020, ‘Puffer Week,’ the Loveland Police will be looking for cars that are running without a driver. If you have the proper safety precautions in place, no problem. If not, you’ll be getting a Class B traffic citation.”
Source: Retro 1025
The department considers the categories of homicide, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, theft/larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson as serious crimes.
Source: Chieftain
“Theft is high in the Steel City; it was another year and another national ranking for stolen cars.”
Source: KRDO
“Puffing,” as 11 News has reported many times, is an easy way to lose your car. The term is defined as leaving your vehicle running unattended, is common this time of year, and last year resulted in nearly 200 stolen cars.
Source: KKTV
As a big storm rolled into the state this week, law enforcement warned about the risks of leaving a vehicle “puffing,” or idling unattended, as it warms up. This practice is illegal in many parts of the country and can put drivers at-risk of auto theft, as well as contribute to pollution.
Source: Out There Colorado
So far this year, the police department said there have been about 200 puffing incidents. Thomson said some criminals actively look for victims on cold mornings.
Source: KKTV 11
In between the crashes, which included slamming into the wall surrounding a Pueblo cemetery, a 31-year-old man is accused of stealing a vehicle and shooting at law enforcement.
Source: KKTV