TULEY REVIEW, Tuley High School AUTO THEFT CONFERENCE: Steal Cars Now and Suffer Sentence Later "In Chicago, the percentage of $432 million. The direct loss does crimes has noticeably declined, not include law enforcement, inexcept in one major field-auto convenience to car owners, pertheft," stated Mr. William J. Da. sonal injuries caused by drivers vis, Secretary and Manager of the of stolen cars, or property damage. National Auto Theft Bureau, at the Auto Theft Conference on February, covered by Susie Ry maromicz and Ronnie Panfilow, Review editors. In 1964, of 466,805 vehicles stolen in the United States, almost 32,000 were stolen in Chicago. The estimated dollar losses of auto theft in Chicago were $8 million. The total loss nationally exceeded Stealing a car for thrills or joy rides only leads to court and jail. That, in turn, leads to trouble-a life-long criminal record, and repetition of crimes. The cradle of crime, joy riding, classified as young people's type of a crime, is the beginning habit which leads from one thing to another. The age bracket mostly connected with auto thefts is 15-19. Ernie Banks, Chicago Cubs shortstop, also speaking at the conference, encouraged young people to "go the right way, live the right way." The public, continued Banks, must be more attentive to their personal belongings. They must lock their cars, turn off the ignition, and shut the windows to protect their own property. The objective must be "to prevent the crime before it occurs." If the crime does occur, Ernie Banks concluded, the public must work correct, not convict young people. to WELLS WORLD, Wells High School Police, Teens Probe Dangers of Auto Theft by George Burdinie To establish better relations with teenagers in the wake of a rise in crime, the Chicago Police Department held an Auto Theft Conference Saturday, February 20, for high school students and faculty representatives. Auto theft was the major crime committed in the United States last year and may very likely be this year also. Since this is a young man's crime and is usually the beginning of a life of crime, it is vital that the teenager know more about this crime and the consequence that will result, such as a lifelong police record and a pos. sible prison sentence, police authorities said. Included among the guests on the program was a former prisoner Other guests included various ride, and the unsuspecting young girl friend who also went along, and the death of a little girl struck down by the stolen car after a police chase. Another of the guests was Ernie Banks, Chicago Cubs baseball star, who urged teens not to throw away their whole lives just because they see a handsome car or need a part for their own car and don't have the ambition to go out and raise the money The conference ended in a statement of hope that through the awakening of the teenage mind and the extra caution exercised by car owners a decrease in auto thefts will result and the need for this kind of conference next year will vanish. CONFERENCE IS PUBLICIZED Stories based on a release describing the press conference for high school editors appeared in the general press. Examples are reproduced below and on page 8. BELMONT CENTRAL NEWS, Chicago, Ill. Ask School Editors To Auto Theft Conference The Detective Division of the Chicago Police Department, in cooperation with the National Automobile Theft Bureau in Chicago, will sponsor an Auto Theft Conference starting at 9 am. Saturday, Feb. 20, in the 5th floor annex auditorium of Central Headquarters Building, 1111 S. State St. Approximately 125 student editors of public and parochial high school newspapers and their faculty advisers, have been invited to attend. Theme of the meeting is: "Let's Prevent Youth Involvement in Auto Theft." Supt. Wilson said: "The conference is aimed at reaching Chicago youth and impressing upon them how simple it is to become involved in auto theft, and once involved, what can happen to them. Once a youth is arrested for auto theft, he has a record that will follow him through life. It can affect his education, job references, his entire future career." Wilson pointed out that 80 per cent of all auto thefts are committed by young people under the age of 21. partment and National Automobile Auto Theft Bureau during the coming months. Other projects include participation by the department in the Sports and Outdoor Show opening Feb. 5 in the Internetional Amphitheatre. The Chicago Police Department will have on display a stolen vehicle recently recovered in a stripped condition to dramatize to citizens the need for owner vigil. ence in protecting their autos. During the period from Feb. 20 through April 1, all Police Department three-wheel motorcycles will carry a poster message reminding citizens to "Lock Your Car." Supt. Wilson pointed out: not "The ease with which auto thieves operate can be attributed in part to the apathy of many car owners in regard to safeguarding their property. These careless motorists only park their cars without locking door and windows, but sometimes leave keys in the ignition as well. We hope to develop public awareness in protecting their property." In April, weather permitting, The Auto Theft Conference, under direction of Deputy Chief the Department will have of Detectives Walter Karlblbm pressure sensitive decal affixed and Commander Clarence Bra- to each of the city's 32,000 asch, Auto Theft Section, will street parking meters. The deinclude discussions, slide pres-cal, yellow with black lettering entations, a sound movie on and carrying a key design, auto theft, and a conducted reads: "Lock Your Car, If tour of Central Headquarters Stolen U Lose." facilities. Press kits containing releases, suggested editorials, pamphlets and other materials for use in school newspapers, will be distributed to the editors. The Auto Theft Conference is one of several projects to be undertaken by the Police De Supt. Wilson concluded: a "We hope this conference will contribute towards reducing auto theft and, equally important, that the message of good citizenship will reach the student body of every high school in Chicago." BRIDGEPORT ILLINOIS NEWS Police Department Opens Drive Terming unlocked cars a major factor behind Chicago automobile thefts, the Chicago Police Department today launched a special drive to focus attention on the problem. Superintendent O. W. Wilson, discussing the problem at his Tuesday morning press conference, said: "There were 31,927 cars stolen in Chicago in 1964. Two thirds of them had been. left unattended with the key in the ignition, or the ignition unlocked, or the car doors not locked. "Although Chicago crimes declined 5% during 1964 as compared with 1963, auto thefts rose 3%." Superintendent Wilson said these thefts represent an annual direct cost to Chicago motorists of about $7,750,000. The multi-million dollar loss figure is based on the 6% of stolen cars not recovered, and the fact of the 94% recovered, there is an average loss of $200.00 due to accident, stripping or mechanIcal damage by the thief. The fig ure does not include losses due to thefts of accessories and contents of cars. Superintendent Wilson added: "Most auto thefts are committed by teenagers who yield to the temptation of a 'red carpet' invitation left by careless motorists with open doors and windows or keys in the ignition. A locked car is a deterrent to most teenagers who usually steal autos on impulse. which occurred while chasing teenagers in stolen cars, the theft of which was made easy by the owners' carelessness." He urged that all drivers remove the keys and to be sure the doors and windows are closed and locked whenever they park their cars wherever that may be and no matter how quick the stop may be. Superintendent Wilson said: "It is shocking to see how many motorista feel it is safe to leave the key in the ignition of their cars, or leave the motor running while they hop out for a few seconds on an errand. "Under these conditions, a passing teenager needs only those few seconds to jump into the car and drive away." A conference with 180 student editors of Chicago public and parochial high schools and their faculty advisors, held last Saturday in the auditorium of Central Headquar ters Building, was one of several Most stolen cars are recovered. projects planned in connection with However, many innocent persons the drive to reduce auto thefts. have been maimed and their prop- The conference impressed on the erty damaged by young auto student editors the need of disthieves driving recklessly." couraging youth involvement in Superintendent Wilson pointed auto theft and reminding them of out that a number of police officers the consequences. have been injured in accidents 51-148 O 70-20 RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ANNUAL MEETING, U.S. CONFERENCE OF MAYORS, DENVER, JUNE 17, 1970 8. REPEAL OF WORKABLE PROGRAM Whereas, the workable program for community improvement sets up requirements and standards that become arbitrary and cannot be directly related to locally-established objectives; and Whereas, the federal government, through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, has an obligation to insist that local applicants for federal assistance develop comprehensive housing, employment, recreation and other neighborhood and community development programs; and Whereas, this comprehensive planning must be done on an individual local basis and not prescribed by a rigid set of statutory rules; and Whereas, the workable program is really "unworkable" in that it fails to provide the flexibility needed to deal with individual local situations; and Whereas, recent experience has shown that the present workable program requirements actually frustrate local citizen involvement in planning rather than encourage it: Now therefore be it Resolved, That the federal requirement known as the workable program should be repealed. 9. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY Whereas, the quality of life in our urban society demands effective governmental programs in water and air pollution abatement, solid waste disposal, and in the control and limitation of noise levels; and Whereas, the federal government must assume the leadership in this government effort and support a fully coordinated and expanded research effort; and Whereas, city governments have a direct responsibility to the urban resident in this important subject of environmental quality: Now therefore be it Resolved, That the U.S. Conference of Mayors calls on the federal government to (1) fully and promptly update the Clean Air Act, (2) provide the federal matching money called for in the Water Pollution Control Act, (3) improve the Solid Waste Disposal Act by increasing federal support for local planning and implementation of solid waste management systems and through research and demonstration efforts to assist in the establishment of noise standards consistent with human physical and mental health, and be it further Resolved, That in all of the foregoing efforts city government participation be encouraged in policy development, planning and program execution. Note: Proposed Resolution No. 10 (on safety of war souvenirs) was tabled by the Denver Resolutions Committee. LOCAL UNION, No. 34, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD ELECTRICAL WORKERS, Hon. FLOYD H. HYDE, DEAR SECRETARY HYDE: I am writing you regarding some difficulties our local officials have regarding local Building Codes. In recent years, there has been drastic changes in use of new and approved material. I am interested in the Community finding a workable program that will make Certification possible. I would appreciate your personal consideration and response to the following questions: (1) Is it HUD's intent to dictate to a local community what materials they must accept in order to qualify for federal funds? (2) Is it the intent of HUD to sacrifice "Quality Construction" for quantity construction in a local community by requiring the waiving of local building code requirements which have been proved necessary? (3) Does HUD have the authority to waive local building code requirements and compel them to use certain materials and products which have proved unsatisfactory in a local community? I would appreciate an answer at your earliest convenience. Sincerely yours, MICHAEL R. MILLER, Assistant Business Manager, Local 34, I.B.E.W. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR METROPOLITAN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, Washington, D.C., August 19, 1970. Mr. MICHAEL R. MILLER, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, DEAR MR. MILLER: Your letter of August 5, 1970 to Assistant Secretary Floyd H. Hyde concerning difficulties in local building codes has been referred to this office. The questions you have raised regarding the "intent" and "authority" of the Department of Housing and Urban Development may best be answered by reference to the HUD policy on local codes as administered under the Workable Program for Community Improvement. Under this policy each community desiring to participate in certain Federal assistance programs is required to adopt the latest published or reasonably current edition of one of the nationally recognized model building, plumbing, electrical, housing, fire prevention or related codes, or State or local codes with comparable standards. The requirement that local codes contain standards comparable to those in the model codes is based on the premise that any material or method of construction, irrespective of nature or origin, which has been produced under the nationally recognized and accepted industry standards, and which has been certified as having met the requirements of such standards, should have a place in local codes, without limitation or restriction, unless there are local geologic, climatic or soil conditions which warrant a limitation on its use. This policy, in our opinion, does not impair the right of individual choice on the part of builders, developers, designers, homeowners, or others, in the use of any material provided that such material conforms to the accepted industry standards. We feel that this policy is fair to all concerned and, in effect, places the determination as to whether or not a particular material or method is acceptable for use, squarely in the market place where it belongs in our society. Any local code provision which would seek to arbitrarily deny this principal of free enterprise would not be acceptable under the Workable Program code requirements. We recognize the fact that at times there may be local conditions which necessitate a deviation from the nationally recognized standards, in a particular community. In such instances our policy permits a modification in the local code provided the community can justify the modification by acceptable engineering data. In reference to your concern regarding "quality construction" and "certain materials and products which have proved unsatisfactory," HUD does not attempt to judge the merits or adequacy of the various materials or methods permitted under the model code standards. We, of necessity, rely on the published findings of the National Bureau of Standards, Underwriters' Laboratories, the American Society for Testing Materials, and similar organizations as being the best source of authoritative data in their respective fields. These organizations are nationally recognized as the experts, and the standards they produce are generally accepted throughout the Nation without question. Under the HUD code policy, the City of Peoria may meet the Workable Program code requirements even though its codes may contain local limitations or restrictions on certain materials and methods of construction provided, however, that the City can justify such deviations from the nationally recognized standards with acceptable engineering data. Our Regional Office in Chicago, which administers the Workable Program in the State of Illinois, will, upon request, provide the City with any technical assistance it may need in regard to meeting the HUD code requirements. Sincerely, SAMUEL C. JACKSON. |