New York State - Division of Criminal Justice Services

Buffalo Police City Police DepartmentPerformance Measure Total Performance Measure TotalMVT investigations initiated 43 Reported motor vehicle thefts 1,562Investigations filed with SAFETNet 11 Value motor vehicles stolen $10,206,398Hits resulting from SAFETNet 0 Stolen vehicles recovered 1,421MVT misdemeanor arrests 20 MVT felony arrests 33Value: vehicles recovered: GIU det. $407,495 Value of parts recovered: GIU det. $7,557Value: vehicles recovered: patrol $7,478,124 Value: parts recovered: patrol $642,576MVIF misdemeanor arrests 4 Confidential informants developed 3MVIF felony arrests 6 Insurance fraud investigations: 64OVERALL MVT/UUV ARRESTS BUFFALOPOLICE PATROL353 UUV calls for service 2,581Cheektowaga Town Police DepartmentThe Town of Cheektowaga Police Department spent most of the funding from thegrant on field investigation performed by a detective who was assisted at various timesby other members of the detective bureau. Efforts focused on the investigation of autotheft, insurance fraud, and heavy equipment theft. Field efforts consisted ofsurveillance, collection of evidence (this included fingerprint identification, photographyand DNA recovery), and information sharing which included meetings with outsideagencies in the area. Including police departments in Amherst, West Seneca, Buffaloand Lancaster, the Wyoming County (Sheriff’s Dept), the New York State Police, ErieCounty District Atty’s Office, National Insurance Crime Bureau, state Insurance FraudsBureau, s Department of Motor Vehicles, and Homeland Security/Border Patrol. Thedetective also networked with insurance company representatives from Geico, Allstate,and State Farm.A joint investigation with the Buffalo and Lancaster police departments of a“Cruise Night” at Lancaster Speedway resulted in multiple vehicles examined for stolenparts and forged VIN’s. Valuable intelligence was gained from this event and used inseveral subsequent investigations.The department also participates in the Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle TaskForce. Through the task force, the information sharing has greatly contributed to thedepartment’s efforts in auto theft and insurance fraud detection and apprehension.Highlights of 2009• January – Assisted Town of Amherst police in executing a search warrant andrecovered a stolen ‘Wacker’ Roller (valued at $14,250) and an ‘Avalanche’ Plowblade (valued at $6,000).• June – Members of the department participated in a truck checkpoint named“Operation Eagle Claw”. In partnership with the New York State Police, BuffaloNYS DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES MVTIFP BOARD / ANNUAL REPORT 2009 Page 57