Automobile theft is a $4 billion-a-year problem when you consider the value of the cars stolen, the cost of trying to recover them, and a hefty “theft tax” built into insurance premiums. Joyrider thefts once dominated the stolen auto picture. As recent as the 1960s nearly 90 percent of the cars were recovered. But today, with professional theft rings and clandestine garages or “chop shops” where vehicles are dismantled for lucrative replacement parts, close to 45 percent are lost for good. To combat the disturbing trend is the job of many particularly car owners, auto makers, law officer, the courts and legislators. Two years ago Sens. Charles H. Percey, R-Ill., and Joseph R. Biden. DDel., introduced a Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act to assist law enforcement in several ways. The bill foundered in Congress. Precious time was lost. Today a new but simpler bill is making progress. Sponsored by Percy and Sen. Alan J. Dixon, D-Ill., S. 1676 authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to require auto makers to place identification numbers on crash replacement parts most frequently stolen by ”parts-toorder” thieves. An aide to Percy said the hottest “chop shop” items are the hood, trunk lid, doors and wheels. A car door is especially valued as a crash replacement item. lt’s taken from a stolen car intact, whereas doors through legitimate sources might require assembly of the integral parts. upping the cost. An article by Thomas R. Brooks in the current Readers Digest claims a car is stolen every 28 seconds somewhere in the United States – 1.1 million vehicles a year, of which roughly 496,000 are never recovered. lt’s a $1.7 billion-a-year racket.” While the professional thieves capitalize on the demand for parts, they also do a big business in clandestine auto sales, including about 100.000 cars shipped overseas each year. What can be done to reverse the theft trend’! Hearing are being conducted on the Percy-Dixon bill which would give enforcement officers a valuable tool in tracing parts and getting convictions. Congress should speed passage. Such laws could be the basis for developing a system whereby police can trace vehicle or major parts from the original owner through the scrap processor. The Digest article suggests that car owners can help a great deal in this regard by etching the vehicle identification number plus their “own special brand” in several hard-tofind spots, even dropping business cards into door interiors for possible identification proof. Owners and other drivers can take many precautions. Always remove your key from the ignition; close all windows; lock all doors. Keep packages and valuables out of sight; park in welllighted places. Special locks and alarms can be purchased and installed. Some insurance companies give discounts on theft coverage if you install anti-theft devices. Give a wide berth to suspected unscrupulous individuals or dealers and if somebody offers you an ultra-super deal and your instinct tells you the car or part might be stolen, don’t buy it. In summary, don’t sit back complacently and leave the car theft problem to the police. Preventive action can do more than V anything else to keep you from being victimized. In this, you are the key person.