Free VIN etching offered
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

L-N File Photo Marking It Agent Mike Hines, assigned to the multi-county Sherif f's Combined Auto Theft Task Force by the Wharton County Sherif f's Office used roll-on acid to etch a vehicle's identification number onto each window last year. Another free VIN etching event will be held tomorrow at the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department Training Facility.

A few minutes tomorrow can make your vehicle much less attractive to car thieves.

And it won't cost you a nickel.

The Sheriff's Combined Auto Theft Task Force and county sheriff's deputies will be in El Campo from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 13 at the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department Training Facility, behind Friendship Park on North Wharton Street, to offer VIN etching.

Their free service helps deter auto thieves by placing the vehicle identification number on each window of a car or truck.

Each car or truck takes less than five minutes to etch, and you do not have to be a city of El Campo resident to participate.

The only way to remove the etching is to grind over it, leaving a permanent mark, or to replace all the glass, according to Wharton County task force Deputy Mike Hines.

Those participating in the program also may qualify for an insurance discount depending on the company. The task force provides a card to give to insurance companies for a possible reduction in premiums.

The event is part of the "Watch Your Car Campaign" under the authority of the Texas Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority. For information call Hines at 543-1373.