17-138 - Washington State Patrol / Pierce County Sheriff's Office / King County Prosecutor's Office and Various Municipalities - Puget Sound Auto Theft Task-Force

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V. STATEMENT OF PROBLEM The Washington State Legislature has recognized that automobiles are an essential part of our everyday lives. The family car is typically the second largest investment a person owns, the theft of which causes a significant loss and inconvenience to people, imposes financial hardship, and negatively impacts their work, school, and personal activities. Appropriate, meaningful, and proportionate penalties should be imposed on those who steal motor vehicles. King County, Pierce County, and the municipalities therein have experienced an increase in urbanization and population densities resulting in an increase in crime associated with auto theft. This has stretched the resources of individual police department investigative units. Historically, law enforcement efforts focused on auto theft have been predominately conducted by agencies working independently. A multi jurisdictional effort to handle auto theft investigations has many benefits, including: the more effective use of personnel, improved utilization of funds, reduced duplication of equipment, improved training, development of specialized expertise, and improved information sharing. This results in improved services for all participating jurisdictions and increased safety for the communities they serve through improved auto theft prosecution. VI. TASK FORCE OBJECTIVES The assigned personnel from each participating jurisdiction will form the Puget Sound Auto Theft Task -Force, which will serve the combined service areas of all the participating jurisdictions. The Task Force may also provide assistance to other law enforcement agencies that are not participating jurisdictions pursuant to chapter 10.93 RCW. The Task Force's objective is to provide enhanced and more efficient use of personnel, equipment, budgeted funds, and training to investigate and aid in the prosecution of prolific or organized auto theft crimes. The Task Force may respond as able, and as approved by the Task Force Supervisors or Commander, to requests for assistance by any participating jurisdiction or by other law enforcement agencies pursuant to chapter 10.93 RCW. VII. DURATION AND TERM INATION The term of this Agreement shall be one (1) year, effective upon its adoption and consistent with the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority (WATPA) grant period. This Agreement shall automatically extend for consecutive one (1) year terms conditioned upon the receipt of funding through the WATPA grant process. Wage Page PUGET SOUND AUTO THEFT TASK -FORCE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT