Theft-Fighting Car Decals Get Approval for Van Nuys

An innovative two-year experiment to deter auto thieves in and around Van Nuys was unanimously approved Tuesday by the Los Angeles City Council.

The pilot program, based on one developed in New York City in 1986, will provide windshield decals for participating vehicle owners, who will sign waivers allowing Los Angeles police to stop their vehicles if they are sighted on the road between 1 and 5 a.m., the peak time for auto thefts in New York.

The program will cost $12,000 and could begin within two months, police said. Police will organize an information campaign inviting residents to apply.

The Van Nuys area--including Sherman Oaks, Panorama City and parts of Encino and Sepulveda--was chosen for the experiment because of a proliferation of auto thefts. Police reported 4,659 cars stolen in the area last year, a more than 25% increase over 1987.

A study submitted to the council predicted that the program would influence thieves to take vehicles without decals, but probably would not lead to capture of the thieves. One problem is that car thefts in Los Angeles tend to occur in the afternoon, not late at night, according to a study by police.

But area Councilman Ernani Bernardi said any added deterrent is helpful. He called the program an “automobile watch program,” comparing it to the successful Neighborhood Watch.