The meetings are for auto theft investigators, insurance company special investigation agents, vehicle leasing loss prevention agents, and other individuals involved in the investigation, recovery and prevention of vehicle thefts.  Investigators from in and out of Southern California attend the meetings to share information about current cases, suspects and auto theft trends.  The meetings also feature a guest speaker who gives training during the course of the training meeting / luncheon format.

The Training Meetings / Luncheons begin at 10 a.m. and go until about 1 p.m. Lunch is served about 11:30 a.m.  We would recommend coming about 9:30 a.m. to meet your peers and share coffee or tea. 

The next WSATI Southern Chapter Training Meeting / Luncheon will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2019 10:00 am.  The meeting will be held at a venue in the San Marino area.  Once the venue is confirmed, the information will be posted here.  

2019 WSATI Southern Chapter President Mick O'Neill (Hagerty Insurance SIU) welcomed everyone to the meeting at the LAPD Ahmanson Recruit Training Center in Westchester.  Mick thanked everyone for making it to the meeting in all the rain and traffic.

Mick introduced the other 2019 WSATI Southern Chapter Officers who were in attendance:

Associate Director Rob Midzuno (Nationwide Insurance SIU), Associate Director George Molina (LAPD / TRAP), Associate Director Alan Skobin (LASD/TRAP). Associate Director Richard Spallinger (NICB), and 2018 Past President Jeff Enfield (LASD / TRAP) could not make it to the meeting.

WSATI Southern Chapter Past Presidents who were in attendance:

Ted Saraf (1992), Dennis Frias (1997), Gary Labb (2000), Bill Lovold (2001).

Mick requested that former LAPD Ahmanson Recruit Training Center Captain / Morro Bay Police Chief Greg Allen come forward.  Greg welcomed everyone to the Training Center on behalf of the current commander who was unavailable.  Greg gave a brief history and background of the Training Center.

Mick then introduced the Guest Speaker,  Orange County District Attorney's Office Deputy District Attorney Raymund Diaz who is assigned to the Auto Fraud / Auto Theft Unit.  His presentation included current trends, current laws, and prosecution of criminals for these crimes.  Three of the OCDA Investigators assigned to his unit were also in attendance.

Following Raymund's presentation, Mick opened up the Roundtable Discussion.  Webmaster Gary Labb (Santa Ana Police / OCATT [retired]) advised the attendees of the encrypted online networking roster and gave the attendees the password to allow them access to the roster.

Mick O'Neill spoke about the 2019 WSATI Training Seminar, hosted by the Southern Chapter, which will take place October 13-17, 2018, at the San Diego Marriott Mission Valley.  The preliminary information is posted on the WSATI website.  WSATI Southern Chapter is seeking manpower assistance and sponsorship support.  Mick also spoke about the San Diego County ATAC Vehicle Theft Recovery Officer of the Year Awards Brunch that took place on March 20, 2019 at The Prado at Balboa Park.  He invited the attendees to come to the Orange County ATAC Vehicle Theft Recovery Officer of the Year Awards Brunch that will take place on April 17, 2019 at the Marconi Automotive Museum in Tustin.

Mick then invited those who purchased luncheon tickets to enjoy their lunch while networking with the others in the room.  A catered lunch was provided to the attendees by the staff from Truxton's American Bistro.  This luncheon was enjoyed by the Meeting attendees.  

Following the luncheon, the raffle was conducted by Mick O'Neill, with the help of Luis Alvarez, Melissa Somers, and Jesse Bravo.  The raffle helps raise money for WSATI funds that assist in putting on future seminars, as well as supporting events such as the San Diego and Orange County ATAC Vehicle Theft Recovery Officer of the Year programs.  

There were several new faces that came to the meeting, as well as several "old" members who had not been to the meetings in some time.  Thank you all for your attendance.

Mick announced the next meeting / luncheon would be held on May 16, 2019 at a venue in the San Marino area.