The Problem:
Auto theft is a problem that exists in every major city in the United States. People who have their vehicles stolen suffer major inconvenience, expense, loss of work time and loss of transportation. The cost of replacing a stolen vehicle results in higher insurance rates for all vehicle owners.
The Program:
The Willamette Valley Police Departments offer a program designed to reduce the number of auto thefts in the Willamette Valley. The program is called C.A.T. or Combat Auto Theft.
Motor vehicle owners may voluntarily register for the C.A.T. program. The Salem Police Department will provide a special decal to be placed in the rear window of participating autos. Once the decal is displayed any police officer in Marion or Polk counties can stop the vehicle between the hours of 1:00am and 5:00am. The officer will determine if the driver is the owner or someone authorized by the owner to be driving the vehicle. These decals signal police officers that the vehicle is owned by someone unlikely to be driving between the hours of 1:00am and 5:00am and that the vehicle may have been stolen.
The Procedure:
You must complete a separate application consent for each vehicle you are wanting to register.
- The vehicle must be registered to the person completing the application.
- The vehicle must be registered to a Marion or Polk county address.
- The application must be signed by the registered owner.
You must sign a waiver/consent form that gives law enforcement officers permission to stop the vehicle between the hours of 1:00am and 5:00am. The waiver states you will not hold the police agency or its officers liable for any reasonable actions that result from the vehicle being stopped, and that you will remove the decal when you sell or transfer the vehicle.
After the waiver/consent form is complete, mail it to the Salem Police Department Crime Prevention Unit. $2.00 needs to accompany the form; this money is used for the cost of the decal and mailing. If paying by check please make it out to Salem Police Depatment/CAT.
You will receive a C.A.T. decal by mail to be placed in the rear window of your vehicle.
If you are a current C.A.T. participant and are planning on selling your vehicle, please complete the program withdrawal form and remove the decal from your vehicle.
If You Participate:
If you drive your vehicle between the hours of 1:00am and 5:00am it is very likely that you will be stopped by a law enforcement officer.
If You Are Stopped:
- Remain Calm.
- Turn off you vehicle and turn on your interior light so the officer can see you.
- Present all information requested by the officer.
- You are required to carry the following items anytime you operate a motor vehicle:
- Driver's License
- Current Registration
- Proof of Insurance
State law allows officers to tow moving vehicles under the following circumstances; the driver does not possess a valid driver's license, the driver is suspended/revoked or driving outside the conditions of the license, the driver cannot produce proof of insurance, or the driver is driving under the influence of intoxicants (D.U.I.I.)
Thank you for your interest in the Combat Auto Theft program. For additional information or a registration form please contact the Crime Prevention Unit at 503-588-6175.