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October 31, 2001 Nearly 4,000 more Winnipeggers have joined the fight against auto theft and enrolled in Manitoba Public Insurance's Combat Auto Theft (CAT) Program. Early in October, MPI mailed an auto theft prevention brochure to 280,000 Winnipeg households, outlining various strategies that every Winnipegger can take to protect their vehicles from auto theft. The mailing also encouraged homeowners to join the Combat Auto Theft program supported by Winnipeg Police and MPI. Those who register with the CAT Program receive a highly visible decal which is placed on their vehicle window. If police observe a vehicle with a CAT decal on the road between the hours of 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., it will be pulled over and checked. Since the beginning of the program in 1991, more than 20,000 Manitobans have taken advantage of the free CAT program. "It's encouraging to see such a tremendous response to the mailer," said John Douglas, Vice-President of Public Affairs with MPI. "Auto theft is a preventable crime and becoming involved in the CAT program is just one of several ways people can protect their vehicle." Last year, a record 10,791 auto thefts took place in Manitoba including 9,329 in Winnipeg. These thefts cost premium-payers $23 million and took a human toll in the form of injuries and death. In the first six months this year, Manitoba had nearly 4,100 thefts at a cost of more than $11 million. "CAT is a simple and straightforward way of helping reduce the chances of your vehicle being stolen," said Douglas. "Motorists can simply pick up a CAT decal and registration form from Autopac brokers or MPI Claims Centres." More information about the CAT program and other auto crime prevention information can be found on MPI's web site at www.mpi.mb.ca.
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