This was followed by self introductions of all in attendance. 

Dave Dempsey then introduced the first speaker, Mike Boruff (916 227-3686), who is the Supervisor for the DOJ Stolen Vehicle Unit in Sacramento. Mike began with an overview of the general operation of his department, and the services available to law enforcement.  Mike said their main job is to manage stolen vehicle entries that go into the stolen vehicle system.  Every time an agency makes an entry into SVS, DOJ checks with DMV records to make sure the year, make, model, license, and VIN information is correct.  They receive approximately 2,000 entries a day going through the SVS office.  He has a staff of 13 technicians who review the entries and two analysts.  The analysts assist with special searches and validations.  In addition there is a day supervisor and a night supervisor.  Mike has been with the unit for about eight years.  Mike said they were receiving a lot of mail from agencies for stored  and impounded vehicles.  It was determined about 70% of the incoming mail was not necessary, as DOJ automatically notifies vehicle owners via information from the SVS entry if the vehicle is registered in California. 

Mike handed out an updated manual from DOJ (March 1997).  He said a lot of people don't know that pawned vehicles are entered into SVS.  He said the file also has a place for stolen aircraft.  Mike said some times DOJ will modify or cancel entries if they are incorrect.  DOJ normally sends agencies teletype notification that their entries are incorrect.  SVS files are connected to NCIC, however not all files go to NCIC.  Files going to NCIC include stolen, felony, or parts.  Everything else, storages, impounds, pawns, stay in SVS.  If SVS notifies you the VIN does not meet manufacturers specifications, the entry never gets into NCIC.  When the agency updates the entry with a corrected VIN, it is then forwarded to NCIC.

Hit confirmation for stolen vehicles has changed in the last two years.  It used to be a ten minute confirmation requirement by NCIC. It is now ten minutes for urgent response, someone in the vehicle, and one hour for routine response, a parked vehicle.  NCIC is encouraging the one hour response request from agencies.

Special searches keep DOJ busy.  If you have a partial number, DOJ can do searches.  If you need statistics such as how many stolens in a period of time, DOJ can give that information.  They do a lot of searches for court. 

There will be a new CJIS manual coming out, which will also be available on CD ROM.  This will be the first upgrade of the manual since 1992.

There have been some policy changes at DOJ.  One was involved with vehicles subject to seizure.  NCIC made an entry for that in NCIC if seizure was based on a federal warrant.  DOJ then created a file for vehicles subject to seizure by state warrant.  It is only entered in SVS and not in NCIC.  They are also looking to add a file for seized vehicles pending asset forfeiture.  A special search was done recently for carjackings in 1997.  There were 1,300 entries located throughout the state.

Mike then talked about the upcoming changes in the NCIC validation of stolen vehicles.  In the past, NCIC sent DOJ copies of the records necessary for the annual validation.  DOJ would then send copies to the local agencies.  The local agencies would then validate their records, return this information to DOJ, and then DOJ would tell NCIC the validation was completed.  This will no longer be the case.  The local agencies will no longer send information to DOJ.  The local agencies will have to modify each of their stolen vehicle entries reflecting date, time, and who validated the record.  If the local agency does not validate the entry, NCIC will purge the entry.

Mike gave the retention periods on various types of vehicles entered into SVS; stolen vehicles are current year plus four, felony vehicles are 90 days, stolen vehicle parts current years plus four, stored vehicles are 30 days, and impounded vehicles are 60 days.  Reported lost vehicles are 30 days.  He noted there are not many of these entries, as lost vehicles are only supposed to be entered when someone forgot where their car is due to being too drunk or mental incapacity.  Missing person vehicles are 30 days.  This entry is designed to be used in conjunction with a person reported missing.

Dave Dempsey then introduced the second speaker for the training portion of the program, Investigator Max Gallardo (619 637-7158), who is a member of the CHP Border Mexico Liaison Office.  He handed out information regarding the new license plates being issued for Mexican vehicles.  He discussed the information covered by his handout material.  Max said there are going to be changes in 1998 by the Baja California government which should help California law enforcement.  Max said there are six investigators assigned to the Mexico Liaison Office, four working Baja California North, and the other two work the east end of Imperial and San Diego County.

He showed a slide presentation.  He said it is important for patrol/traffic officers to realize vehicles being operated in California with Mexican plates could be subject to VC 4000a.  He also felt it was important for officers to run the VINs of vehicles they stop with Mexican plates.  He said often times you may discover a reported stolen vehicle.  Max reminded us that Mexican plates with the notation “DEMO” (dealership plate) should not be here in California.  He said if one of these vehicles is stopped in the United States, it is important to seize the plates.  He said if you have inquiries to his unit regarding Mexican plates, you need to not only have the plate numbers but the Mexican state of issuance.

He said that Mexico does not issue personalized plates, so if you observe one, it is not legitimate.  Max said the Mexican passenger plates should have three numbers, three letters, and then a number.  He said if you see a Baja California South (BCS) plate, the VIN should be run.  A good portion of these vehicles may be VIN switches or straight up stolens.  Max said taxi plates have a red background and they have four numbers and then three letters.  Max also said if you see a vehicle operating in California with Mexican taxi plates, that is illegal.  In order to legally work, the vehicle would have to have California commercial plates. 

Max said Mexican commercial plates have three letters and then four numbers.  Max said the Mexican license plates for commercial vehicles coming to and from California as part of NAFTA have the notation “SPF MEX.”  NAFTA plates have three numbers, two letters, and then a number.

Max said the new 1998 Baja California issue plates with have a state logo beside the “BC” notation and a square for a registration tab.  Max said all Mexican vehicles circulating in California should have some type of registration card.  Max suggested if you have any questions about the Mexican plates or paperwork you are seeing in your investigations, to contact his office directly for assistance.

Max reminded us all, if you are a California law enforcement officer, and you are planning on traveling in Mexico, DO NOT take a firearm into Mexico.  They will seize the gun and it probably will not be returned to you.  Don't take the chance…

Max gave out additional information, which for security reasons, will not be disseminated in this newsletter.  Max and other members of the Mexico Liaison Office are scheduled to be instructors at the 1998 WSATI conference in San Diego.

Dave Dempsey then introduced past president Joan Pitts, who made a belated presentation of the 1997 Billy Osborn Memorial Award.  Joan recalled that it was 25 years ago the recipient of the award brought her to her first WSATI meeting.  The recipient, George Sentman [Retired Los Angeles PD Sergeant (21 years) / Retired Avis Rent-A-Car Security Manager (29 years)] was introduced and presented with the award.  This award represents the dedication and service to the WSATI Southern Chapter which was always provided with a smile by the late Billy Osborn.

After a buffet style Mexican luncheon, Dave Dempsey solicited suggestions for training programs for upcoming Southern Chapter meetings, emphasizing that one of the goals of the chapter is to provide the most current available information to our membership. Any suggestions may be forwarded to any of the board members.

Secretary Gary Labb announced the WSATI mailing list is being updated, and requested to know if members would like to receive their newsletter via e-mail in order to control mail and postage costs.  It was further urged, in an effort to lower the mailing costs of the newsletter, that multiple individuals working in a single unit submit a single business card, so one mailing can cover all.  If you would like to receive your newsletter via e-mail, please contact Gary via his e-mail address or business phone (glabb@wsati.org / 714 245-8425).  Dave Dempsey said he would be calling departments and organizations to determine who should be receiving the Newsletter at that location.

Newport Beach PD Detective Greg Armstrong (714 644-3761) discussed a case he worked on with the assistance of OCATT.  This involved the theft and recovery (mostly parts) of numerous Porsches.  Please contact him directly for further information about the case and the suspects involved.

OCATT Sergeant Fritz Grimsley (714 634-1385) issued a warning regarding trying to “slim jim” cars equipped with side door airbags.

The WSATI membership displayed its typical brotherly tenderness by bestowing upon Vice President Randy Ballin this month's Bent Screwdriver Award.  In case anyone is interested, Randy won because he forgot to order the new name badges for the 1998 WSATI Board Members.

Door prizes were then distributed.  Once again, Frank Graber provided the very popular OCATT cups and shirts as extra door prizes.  It is doubtful that Frank will be able to attend many more WSATI meetings as he is being transferred back to Fullerton PD from OCATT at the end of January.  His new assignment will be in patrol.

Dave announced information regarding the 1998 WSATI annual training seminar, to be held September 30th, October 1st, and 2nd, 1998 at the Town and Country Hotel, in San Diego.  Dave also reminded everyone that WSATI Southern Chapter would be hosting the seminar.  He invited anyone who wished to participate as a committee member to join the current board and committees in planning the seminar.

The meeting was then adjourned.

Reminder: The Shayne York Memorial Golf Tournament, hosted by the Buena Park Police Association, will be held on 3/23/98 at the Los Coyotes Country Club.  The purpose of the tournament is to raise funds to purchase park and playground equipment, as well as to provide a park and monument to honor Los Angeles County Sheriff Shayne York, who was slain in Buena Park on 8/14/97.  The cost of the tournament is $125, which includes: breakfast, lunch, and dinner, on-course beverages, driving range and putting contest.  Sponsorships are also available.  For information contact Buena Park Police Association Vice President Jim Hayes 714 562-3902.

PLEASE NOTE:  The normal September meeting in Marina Del Rey has been exchanged with the normal July meeting in San Diego.  This is due to the 1998 WSATI Training Seminar being held in San Diego on September 30th, October 1st, October 2nd, 1998.