The official website of the City of Mansfield, Texas

The Mansfield Police Department has joined with the Johnson County and Ellis County Sheriff's offices and the Burleson Police Department to target auto burglaries and auto thefts with the formation of the Tri-County Auto Burglary & Theft Prevention Task Force.

The focus of the multi-agency task force is to reduce auto burglaries and auto thefts through enforcement and public education. Auto burglaries and thefts cost all residents in higher insurance premiums and in higher taxes for enforcement by local police departments. By focusing investigators specifically on this area, the plan is to reduce the number of auto burglaries and auto thefts and take the criminals that target automobiles off the street.

The Tri-County Auto Burglary & Theft Prevention Task Force is funded through grants by the Texas Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA). In 2009, the ABTPA became a part of the newly established Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. The Tri-County Auto Burglary & Theft Prevention Task Force Board of Governors' hope is to continue to receive grant funding and expand the program with more investigators from other agencies.

A major component of the task force's efforts is public education. Residents in the task force area will see signage and promotional materials focusing on "Hide, Lock and Take." The public service campaign encourages people to hide valuables that might be visible in their cars, lock their cars when they leave them and take their keys.