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Harrisburg PD & Brenner Dodge Offers Free
Vehicle VIN Etching

9 June 1999

Vehicle Identification Numbers Etched on to Vehicle Windows as a Means Of Theft Prevention

    HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Automobile Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA) along with 
the Harrisburg City Police Department and Brenner Dodge of Harrisburg will be 
holding a free VIN etching event on Saturday, June 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 
at Brenner Dodge of Harrisburg, 19th and Paxton Streets.  A press conference will be held 
at Brenner Dodge on Thursday, June 10 at 11:00 a.m.

    This is the first VIN etching in Harrisburg.  VIN etching is a proven
theft deterrent, where the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is etched on to
all the vehicle windows.  Would-be thieves resist stealing a vehicle that is
VIN-etched because that vehicle is more easily identified and, if stolen, all
glass must be replaced in order to remove traces of the VIN.

    This is a free service provided by Harrisburg City Police, Brenner Dodge
of Harrisburg and the ATPA, ATPA staff, police officers, Brenner Dodge staff,
and volunteers from Nationwide and Erie Insurance Companies will etch the VIN
on the first 400 vehicles.  The ATPA encourages you to spend some time with
them on Saturday morning to help protect your vehicle.

    The ATPA is co-sponsoring another VIN etching event with the Cumberland
County District Attorney's office on June 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at
the MJ Mall in Carlisle.

    Pre-event questions should be directed to ATPA Executive Director Roy
Miller, at 717-975-9074.