The program is modeled after a similar initiative in Michigan, where officials credit it with reducing car theft by 19.6 percent over a recent ten-year period. There now are Help End Automobile Theft programs in a handful of states, including California, Virginia, Texas, Massachusetts and Indiana. All information will be screened by state Division of Insurance Fraud investigators. These investigators will forward cases to the Sheriffs Association for referral to appropriate law enforcement. The auto insurance pool will establish a committee to review the disbursement of rewards.
All tips are confidential.
The rest of the money needed for the machines is coming from the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council, along with funds from each participating port. The Port of Miami was the first to receive a demonstration unit. It's expected that by the middle of next year all 10 scanners will be installed in the six ports.