EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — To promote community safety and to help protect personal property, the El Paso Police Department’s Auto Theft Task Force is hosting a free VIN etching event.

The event, in partnership with Sam’s Club, will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 28 at Sam’s Club, 9498 Gateway Blvd.

This initiative is designed to provide residents with a powerful, permanent deterrent against vehicle theft, El Paso Police said.

VIN etching involves the professional engraving of the vehicle’s unique 17-digit vehicle identification number.

This process significantly decreases the resale value of stolen vehicles to “chop shops,” making them less attractive targets for criminals, police said.

“Our goal with the Auto Theft Task Force is to stay ahead of criminal trends by giving our community the tools they need to protect their investments. By partnering with local businesses for these free events we are able to help the public add an extra layer of security to their vehicles. This is just one of the many ways EPPD is working to ensure our city remains one of
the safest in the nation,” El Paso Police said.

The El Paso Police Department says proactive measures, such as VIN etching and the “Lock It or Lose It” philosophy, are essential to reduce auto theft across the region.

For more information, call the El Paso Police Department Auto Theft Task Force at (915) 212-0310.

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