Thirty-eight vehicles are stolen every day across Oregon. Nationally, a vehicle is stolen every 28 seconds, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

We all pay for auto theft, but, you can do something about it. NW Insurance Council and the Auto Theft Alert Coalition will proudly host Auto Theft Alert 2008, a free theft-prevention event open to the public, Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the northwest parking lot of Clackamas Town Center, located at 82nd and S.E. Monterey Ave.

Auto Theft Alert 2008 includes the following activities for Portland drivers:

• Free VIN-etching on vehicle windows
• Free steering wheel locks to drivers whose vehicles receive VIN-etching (while supplies last)
• Allstate® Insurance Company's Auto Dismantling Team from 11 a.m. to noon.
• LoJack® demonstration of GPS vehicle-tracking and recovery system
• KUPL FM Radio Cruiser Appearance
• Free auto theft prevention tips and information

Having a Vehicle Identification Number etched on the windows of a car can significantly increase the chances of recovering that vehicle if it's stolen.

The supporting partners for this event include NW Insurance Council member companies, Portland Police Bureau, NICB, LoJack and Safelite Auto Glass.

Note to editors, news directors: There will be photo and video opportunities of Allstate's® Dismantling Team disassembling a vehicle, volunteers VIN-etching vehicles and drivers receiving steering wheel locks.

NW Insurance Council is a nonprofit, public-education organization funded by member insurance companies serving Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

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