ARIZONA AUTOMOBILE THEFT AUTHORITY AWARDS OVER $5.8 MILLION TO ARIZONA LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES

ARIZONA AUTOMOBILE THEFT AUTHORITY AWARDS OVER $5.8 MILLION TO ARIZONA LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES - July 22, 2024

Phoenix, AZ - The Arizona Automobile Theft Authority (AATA), a division of the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI), announces its FY25 grant awards to Arizona law enforcement and criminal justice agencies. Over $5.8 million was awarded to the Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force and six statewide Vertical (Auto Theft) Prosecution programs.

In June, the AATA Board of Directors awarded new FY25 grants to the Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force in the amount of $4,452,600and the Vertical Prosecution program received $1,362,093. The Vertical Prosecution program isAATA's second largest annual grant program, funding ten prosecutors and three support staff dedicated to achieving maximum sentencing results and keeping dangerous car thieves off the streets.

FY25 Vertical Prosecution program grants were awarded to the following agencies:

1. La Paz County Attorney's Office - $139,393

2. Maricopa County Attorney's Office - $291,399

3. Mohave County Attorney's Office - $151,456

4. Pima County Attorney's Office - $358,832

5. Pinal County Attorney's Office - $340,218

6. Santa Cruz County Attorney's Office - $80,795

The AATA Board of Directors is pleased to award grant funding to these agencies as they work diligently to combat auto theft in Arizona. Law enforcement and prosecution are vital components of an overall strategy to reduce auto theft. In 2023, Arizona's rate of auto theft fell by over 6% and 2024 year-to-date data is showing further declines.