New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Commissioner Nancy A. Naples today announced that Buffalo area residents had an opportunity to make their vehicles less attractive to car thieves and safer for their children.

The DMV sponsored a free "Watch Your Car Program" from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Helm Garage at the University at Buffalo. University Police, the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, the New York Anti Car Theft & Fraud Association, the New York State Police, and Safe Western New York were co-sponsors of the event.

"Each year our DMV investigators assist local, State and federal law enforcement agencies with auto theft investigations and vehicle identification and they recover millions of dollars in stolen vehicles and parts each year," Commissioner Naples said. "This is a great economic loss for consumers across the State as a motor vehicle is the second largest purchase a family can make, second to their home. Today we helped New Yorkers protect that investment by offering the public enrollment in the 'Watch Your Car Program'."

The "Watch Your Car" Auto Theft Prevention Program of New York State offers two methods that aid in deterring vehicle theft, VIN etching and voluntary vehicle registration. The event also offered parents an opportunity to have child safety seats checked. There was no charge for any of the services.

With VIN etching, the Vehicle Identification Number is acid etched onto each window. This is a deterrent against auto theft because the etched VIN number cannot be removed or altered without damaging the window. The owner of the vehicle may also receive a 2 - 5 percent discount on auto insurance premiums.

VIN etching does not damage the window or the vehicle, but "chop shops" and criminal auto resale rings do not want to deal with etched windows. They either make the car unable to be sold or limit the sections of the car that can be removed for reuse.

Under the voluntary vehicle registration program, owners sign a consent form stating their vehicles are not normally used between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. Decals are affixed to the front and rear windows identifying the vehicle as participating in the program. If police see the vehicle being driven anywhere in the United States during those hours, they may stop the vehicle and verify ownership. Owners can also give permission to have the vehicle stopped at any time of day if it is driven into Mexico or Canada or near an international port.

The "Watch Your Car" program was established in 1997 with a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. Safe Western New York, in conjunction with the New York State Police, checked car seats and booster seats to ensure they were properly installed in the vehicles. State regulations for booster seats that took effect in March 2005 require children ages four through six to be restrained in an appropriate child restraint system while riding in vehicles.