Working with the Citizen’s Crime Commission of the Delaware Valley and others, Senator Fumo is helping the Philadelphia Police Department fight vehicle-related crimes in the following ways:

Chop Shop Tip Line: In 1998, the Chop Shop Tip Line was created to help police find criminals who steal cars and then disassemble them for their parts. It has resulted in numerous arrests.

Persons with information on chop shops in Philadelphia can anonymously call the Crime Commission’s tip line at 215-546-8477. The line is manned 24 hours a day. If the tip leads to an arrest, the caller receives a reward of up to $1,000. Callers' identities are kept secret and the reward is delivered using a code-number system.

For more details, click on this Chop Shop Tip Line Press Release.

The Club Giveaway: In October 2000, Senator Fumo arranged for residents of the First Senatorial District to receive The Club free of charge if they own one of the 10 most frequently stolen makes and models of vehicles. The Club is an anti-theft steering wheel locking device. Through Senator Fumo’s efforts, Winner International, the manufacturer, helped provide The Clubs that are used for the program.

To find out how to get The Club free if your vehicle qualifies, click on this The Club Press Release.

Witness Compensation Fund: Starting in March 2000, victims of vehicle break-ins in Philadelphia who testify about the crime in court began receiving $75 per day compensation through a fund that Senator Fumo created.

Many repeat offenders remain on the streets because it is too inconvenient or expensive for victims to take time off work and travel downtown to testify. Senator Fumo hoped that victims would be encouraged to appear in court if they received compensation for their time and expenses such as parking.

For more details, click on this Witness Compensation Fund Press Release.

Lojack Discounts: In 1998, owners of the 10 most frequently stolen makes and models of vehicles who lived or worked in the 10 police districts where car thefts are most frequent qualified to buy a Lojack stolen vehicle tracking system at a deep discount.

(The supply of Lojacks available through this program is now exhausted.)

Moving the Registration Sticker: To combat the increasingly frequent crime of clipping the registration tag from the corner of the metal license plate, Senator Fumo worked for about two years to convince the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to change the system to inhibit tag thieves. In October 2000, PennDOT announced it would switch to rear window stickers for vehicles registered in Philadelphia. Although he is pleased that PennDOT is attempting to address the program, Senator Fumo disagrees with some parts of the new PennDOT plan.

For background on Senator Fumo’s involvement in this issue and his opinion of the new PennDOT system, click on this Registration Sticker Press Release.