ABSTRACT
Since 1985, a variety of strategies have been tried to reduce the problem of auto thefts in the unincorporated areas of Hillsborough County, Florida. For example, the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office deployed street crime squads targeting areas where cars were reported stolen. An agency-wide task force also was implemented to combat auto theft. And auto theft detectives increased their efforts by focusing on auto salvage yards where motor vehicles were being chopped into parts. While each of these traditional methods succeeded to a limited extent, none proved to have a substantial and lasting impact.
