Gone in 60 seconds? Not for long. Automobile thefts may be
increasing at a steady pace, but the Auto Theft Task Force may be
the answer.

Marketed by Winner International, the device is similar to the
Club. The company is providing these devices to law enforcement and
campus police in attempts to combat the rise of stolen cars
throughout the country.

“The use of this device makes it virtually impossible to steal
the car without first removing the steering wheel,” said Jack
Titone, director of the Department of Public Safety. “Normally a
car thief can steal a car within minutes. This device prevents that
from happening.”

A car thief would have to either saw the metal rod off of the
steering column, which takes time and equipment. The thief would
risk the chance of being caught due to extended time it would take,
Titone added.

The St. Louis Police Department and DPS have been working
proactively to reduce the number of car thefts in the City of St.
Louis by establishing measures that make it very hard for would-be
thieves to steal a car, Titone said.

In the City of St. Louis, there were 9,176 stolen cars reported
during the first nine months of 2003. At Saint Louis University,
there have been 10 stolen cars on University property. In the
streets adjacent to University property, there have been 10
stolen.

In attempts to combat and prevent auto thefts on University
property, DPS has purchased quantities of the anti-theft devices.
The devices were purchased directly from the manufacturer and will
be sold to students at $10.

The retail price of anti-theft devices normally ranges from $35
to $40.

The Auto Theft Task Force can be purchased directly from DuBourg
Hall room 15, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Only
personal checks will be accepted as payment for the device.