H.E.A.T.  (HELP END AUTO THEFT)
AWARDED THE BEST CRIME PREVENTION IN 1998 by the TCPA

The H.E.A.T. Program is one of many programs that the Van Alstyne Police Department offers to the citizens of the community. The H.E.A.T. program was established by the 72^nd Legislature, the
Automobile Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA) created the statewide effort for reduction of vehicle theft. The
cost of the program is maintained by a $1 premium assessed of all insurance companies insuring Texas
vehicles. Since the beginning of the program in 1991, the auto theft rate in Texas has plummeted over 40%.

How Does It Work
▪  Vehicle owners sign an agreement that their vehicle(s) may be stopped between the hours of 1:00 AM and
   5:00 AM. If a peace officer anywhere in the State of Texas see this vehicle containing the participation
   stickers during those hours, they may stop the vehicle and verify ownership.
▪  Registration is for a period of four years. Registration does not prevent the owner or anyone to whom the
   owner grants permission from driving the vehicle during the program hours of enforcement. The vehicle
   owner agrees to advise any person granted permission to drive the vehicle the provisions of the H.E.A.T.
   registration provisions.
▪  The vehicle owner agrees to and understands that officers will take certain precaution when making a
   stop on a H.E.A.T. register vehicle during the program hours because of the potential for it to have been
   stolen. Once the vehicle is register, the vehicle information is entered into the Texas Department of Public
   Safety database to provide instant 24-hour information for law enforcement agencies statewide. To
   withdraw from the program the owner must notify the registering agency in writing of such removal.
▪  Vehicle owners have a choice between two stickers that will determine how the vehicle will be stop at the
   Mexico border.

Yellow Sticker — A yellow front decal indicates the owner authorizes the stop of the vehicle between the hours of 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM at the Mexico border.
White Sticker — A white front decal indicates the owner authorizes the stop of the vehicle at any time of
the day at the Mexico border. 

The round rear decal is placed in the lower left portion of the back window of the vehicle so that it is
conspicuous to officers, but does not interfere with the driver’s view.

H.E.A.T. Operations in Van Alstyne
The H.E.A.T. coordinator in Van Alstyne is Chief Spindle and Lt. Barnes. You may come to the Police
Department during the weekday and have your vehicle register into the H.E.A.T. program. Once you have filled out the form the officer will place the sticker in the appreciate places on your vehicle. 

How Do I Register
A vehicle owner must be present the following information to the police department when they arrive to register their vehicle.
▪  His/her vehicle
▪  Certificate of title (a duplicate title is acceptable)
▪  Valid driver’s license
▪  Proof of insurance or vehicle registration receipt
▪  Telephone number where the vehicle owner may be reached between the hours of 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM