Bill then had CHP FEAR Investigator Dennis Frias lead all the members in the pledge of allegiance. 

All in attendance then introduced themselves to the other members.

Bill then introduced Past President Terry Cramer, who conducted the election of officers for the 2002 Calendar Year.  Current Sergeant-at-Arms Gary Steadman had to withdraw from participating in WSATI due to him being recently promoted to the position of Sergeant with the San Diego County Sheriffs Department.  Congrats to Gary.  The results of the elections were:

President Lou Koven, LAPD BAD CATS
Vice President Dave Randolph, 21st Century Insurance (Riverside PD retired)
Secretary Phil Macklin, AllState Insurance (Garden Grove PD retired)
Treasurer Frank Graber, Fullerton Police Department
Sergeant-at-Arms Steve Torres, Department of Motor Vehicles

Congratulations to all... looking forward to a great 2002...

Bill then announced that Past President Randy Ballin has decided to retire.  Full info regarding his retirement will be included in the web pages in the near future.

NICB Agent Dennis Lessiak then announced plans to hold the annual L.A. Auto Show Training on January 9, 2002.  This training is only available to law enforcement and NICB personnel and will included manufacturers' representatives who will be able to give us the latest information regarding their new vehicles.  Dennis reminded everyone that this also gives us the opportunity to give feedback to the representatives if there is a problem they are unaware of with their current vehicles.  Additional information will be forthcoming.

Patty Fogerty (Avis Rent-a-car 310 342-1169) briefly spoke about a new scam that is effecting rental car agencies.

Bill then reintroduced CHP Investigator Dennis Frias, who along with U.S. Customs Officers, is part of the Foreign Export and Recovery program at the Ports of Los Angeles and San Pedro.  A Powerpoint presentation demonstrated the program's efforts to prevent the exportation of stolen vehicles.

Prior to the attendees going outside to see the latest equipment used by FEAR, Bill then introduced Diana Rummel of the Construction Industry's Crime Prevention Program (CPP) of Southern California.  Diana spoke about the "Hooter's Hummer" Award that is presented yearly by CPP.  She introduced past winners of the award, former CHP Investigator (now NICB Agent) Dave Schwartzkopf; the Riverside County Auto Theft Interdiction Detail (RAID); CHP Investigator Rick Marshall and CECATS; and TRAP Northern personnel.

Diana then introduced this year's winners, CHP Investigator Dave Jackson and RAID personnel.

The attendees then went out to the parking lot to see the newest approach for FEAR personnel to interdict stolen vehicles, the use of the new mobile VACIS System.  A demonstration of this system was given.

Following the demonstration, the attendees stopped for a Santa Maria style barbecue being held just outside the auditorium.  The Santa Maria Barbecue Company (a Lou Koven "find") catered the lunch and most everybody commented that it was the best lunch that WSATI has ever had.  Barbecued tri-tip, chicken, baked beans, garlic bread, two salads and dessert were on the menu. If you went away hungry it's your own fault!  Hopefully we will have them back again soon (possibly March).  They can be located in Culver City.  Call them at 310 559-5709.

After lunch, Lou Koven handed out copies of a guide from the U.S. Secret Service, International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the National Institute of Justice, "Best Practices for Seizing Electronic Evidence."

Ted Saraf of LoJack spoke briefly about a new upgrade to their recovery system that will allow a quicker notification of theft.  More will follow in the near future.

Bill then asked for any nominations for the Bent Screwdriver Award.   Even though Lou Koven did such a fine job with the Santa Maria Barbecue Company, and had just handed out copies of the guide, he was immediately nominated for the Bent Screwdriver Award by one of his LAPD brethren.  It seems that Vice President Lou was involved in a foot pursuit of an auto theft suspect (who escaped).  Shortly after the foot pursuit, Lou filed a report with LAPD advising that he had lost his badge (since recovered).  No one could top that...

The raffle was then held. 

The meeting was adjourned.