To battle auto theft, Fresno CHP, sheriff’s deputies to hand out free locking devices

July is Auto Theft Prevention Month, and in an effort to reduce the number of stolen vehicles in Fresno County,local law authorities have purchased steering wheel lock devices that will be distributed by CHP officers and Fresno sheriff’s deputies.

The free giveaway will occur from 7 to 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Cherry Auction.

At a news conference Wednesday morning at Mariposa Mall, Deputy District Attorney Robert Veneman-Hughes said the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office understands auto theft is a serious problem for people in Fresno County.

“One of our priorities is to try and reduce the amount of auto theft that occurs and keep serious auto-theft offenders behind bars,” Veneman-Hughes said. “We think this is a great step distributing these devices in trying to prevent auto theft before it happens and before it ever gets to the courthouse.”

CHP Central Division spokesman Johnny Fisher said officers will give away The Club. It is a theft-prevention tool that is readily accessible and has been used for years, so people would be familiar with it, he said. Otherwise, there’s no specific reason why they are handing it out over another security device.

“Not to mention the fact that it’s very gaudy, so when you see it in a vehicle it’s automatically going to deter thieves from even attempting,” Fisher said,

Cherry Auction, on South Cherry Avenue and East American Avenue, was chosen not because thousands of people from all over attend, Fisher said.

About 2,000 Clubs were issued to law enforcement and Fisher said they will bring a certain amount to hand out for three hours on Saturday. Future distribution days will take place throughout Fresno County, especially in rural towns like Mendota and Reedley.

According to the latest 2014 statistics from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Fresno is ranked ninth in the nation for auto theft. It was marked improvement from 2013, when Fresno was No. 2. In one year, Fresno made a 22.1% improvement in terms of auto theft.

Fisher said in 2013 over 6,700 vehicles were stolen in Fresno County, and this year the number of vehicles was at about 5,200.

“In the top 10 isn’t necessarily where we want to be,” Fisher said. “We want to reduce that number.”

This story was originally published July 22, 2015 at 11:49 AM with the headline "To battle auto theft, Fresno CHP, sheriff’s deputies to hand out free locking devices."