The number of carjackings has increased nationwide, but Chicago
is reporting more incidents than any other city in the country.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced more
than $11 million in new grants to police agencies around
Illinois.
“It’s horrible and unacceptable that so many of us can become
victims of these crimes,” Giannoulias said during a Wednesday
news conference. “No one should have to live in fear of having
their car stolen at gunpoint, or returning to their vehicle only
to find it gone.”
The Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft
Prevention and Insurance Verification Council distributes the
grants. To fund the grants, the insurance industry provides $1
for every passenger vehicle it insures to the Secretary of
State’s Office.
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said the grant
money will allow police to purchase the technology needed to cut
down on vehicle crimes.
“To prevent crime you have to have resources,” said Kelly. “This
grant will allow the Illinois State Police to focus additional
resources on prevention and investigative follow-up for
vehicular thefts, hijackings and other related violent crimes.”
Kelly said similar efforts in the Chicago area are paying off.
ISP is using $10 million in grant funding from the Illinois
Secretary of State aimed at enhancing law enforcement
capabilities. The funds contribute to aerial surveillance, with
helicopters patrolling Chicago-area expressways to monitor and
track stolen vehicles.
The Secretary of State’s Office reports from 2019 to 2022, the
Council issued $24 million in grants and recovered $92 million
worth of stolen vehicles, meaning the return on investment for
stolen vehicle recovery is $4 for every $1 spent on grant
funding.
|
|