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Motor Vehicle Theft Protection Act Program
The national "Watch Your Car" program is designed as a cooperative initiative between
Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
It allows owners of motor vehicles to voluntarily display a decal or device on their vehicles to alert police that their vehicle is not normally driven between the hours of 1:00 a.m.
and 5:00 a.m.
Motorists may also choose to display another decal or device to signify their vehicle is not normally driven across or in the proximity of international land borders or ports.
- Edward Byrne Memorial Formula Grant Program
- Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Discretionary Grants Program
Examples of Funded Projects
During fiscal year 1998, awards were made to Alabama, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina and the Virgin Islands.
During fiscal year 1999, awards were made to Colorado, Delaware, Tennessee, and the State of Washington.
In Fiscal Year 2000, funds were provided to Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Tennessee, Utah, Virgin Islands, Washington, DC, and Washington.
The Department of Justice enforces the law and defends the interest of the United States, ensuring public safety against threats foreign and domestic; providing Federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; seeking just punishment for those guilty of unlawful pursuits; and ensuring fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.
Telephone: (800) 421-6770 or (202) 307-1480.
Program Accomplishments
16 States were implementing the program. BJA held a conference for grantees on auto theft prevention.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Federal grant funds may be used for the printing or purchase and distribution of decals, registration and consent forms, public information materials and awareness campaigns, auto glass etching, training programs for law enforcement personnel, registration campaigns, equipment such as audio/visual aids and exhibits, administrative costs, upgrading of computer databases, additional personnel, travel expenses, and overtime for Watch Your Car activities.
No funds shall be used for land acquisition nor may funds be used to supplant State or local funds that would otherwise be made available for such purposes.
There is no matching requirement.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
A State may apply on behalf of itself and its respective units of local government.
If a State's chief motor vehicle theft prevention activities are currently administered by a local agency rather than a State agency, then the local agency may apply on behalf of itself and the other local jurisdictions.
Applications are submitted by the point of contact of the State or unit of local government, in writing, and in accordance with established BJA application guidelines.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Eligible beneficiaries include State agencies, county and municipal police departments, crime prevention organizations, and the general public.
Credentials/Documentation
Applicants should submit the original copy of the Standard Form 424, signed by the project point of contact to the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice, 810 Seventh Street, NW., Washington, DC 20531. Applicants should submit a complete line item budget and accompanying detailed budget narrative that explains all costs for which Watch Your Car funding is requested and provides sufficient information to document how costs were derived. Finally, applicants should develop an implementation plan to identify the steps they will take to implement the program along with a schedule for the completion of each step.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Presently, no program notices will be announced, nor will any awards be made until a programmatic assessment is completed by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).
Applicants also may contact the Department of Justice Response Center in Washington, DC.
Telephone: (800) 421-6770 or (202) 307-1480 to obtain a copy.
The standard application form as furnished by the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), in accordance with 28, CFR Part 66 (Common Rule), must be used for this program.
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.
12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedures
Application guidelines and forms are available by contacting the Department of Justice Response Center as noted above. This application procedure has been on hold since February 2002.
Award Procedures
An award must be accepted by the applicant agency or institution according to the special conditions of the grant.
Deadlines
Contact the Department of Justice Response Center for application deadlines. Both the program announcement published in the Federal Register along with the Bureau of Justice Assistance motor vehicle theft prevention program announcement will note the application deadline.
Authorization
Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, Title XXII, Public Law 103-322, 42 U.S.C 14171 et. seq.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately 60 days.
Appeals
Determined by the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
Renewals
Awards will be for periods of up to 24 months.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Grants will be made for amounts up to 100 percent of the costs of the program or projects contained in the approved application. There is no cash match required of grant recipients.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Varies, generally one fiscal year.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
"Fiscal Reports", which consist of quarterly budget expenditure reports and "Progress Reports" which consist of semi-annual program progress reports and final financial and progress reports.
Audits
All organizations that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in any fiscal year must have a single audit for that year in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-133, as amended, unless the audit condition on the award says otherwise. These audits are due to the cognizant Federal agency not later than 9 months after the end of the grantee's fiscal year.
Records
All grantees are required to establish and maintain accounting systems and financial records in order to account for funds awarded to them.
Financial Information
Account Identification
15-0404-0-1-754.
Obigations
FY 06 $ estimate not available; FY 07 $ estimate not available; and FY 08 estimate not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
None.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Office of Justice Programs Financial Guide.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
The Department of Justice Response Center. Telephone: (800) 421-6770 or (202) 307-1480.
Headquarters Office
James Burch, Deputy Director, Bureau of Justice Assistance, 810 Seventh Street, NW., Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20531. Telephone: (202) 616-6500.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Criteria are described in the Watch Your Car Program Announcement.
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