Stolen Vehicles for Export: A Major Concern for Domestic and International Security

• Published in: Homeland security affairs 2018-03
• Main Author: Mark Mac Donell
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Automobile theft; Case studies; Containers; Crime; Customs; Data recovery; Enforcement; Exports; Impact strength; Information systems; Law enforcement; Literature reviews; Motor vehicles; Motors; National security; Police; Ports; Public policy; Ships; Terrorism; Vehicles
• ISSN: 1558-643X

The protection of our homeland requires the United States to be vigilant on many fronts, and one area in need of immediate attention is the exporting of stolen motor vehicles. This thesis examines threats posed by the loopholes in the current motor vehicle export system, particularly stolen vehicles for export, through the lens of one large urban police department, the New York City Police Department (NYPD). This thesis identifies vulnerabilities and inadequacies in the export system, which criminal enterprises exploit, and it offers solutions to address the shortcomings. At the very least, homeland security agencies at all levels of government should address the need to increase the number of outbound containers examined at ports, enhance scrutiny of freight forwarders, and address the disparity between import and export inspections. At the national policy level, the United States should enhance the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System so that titling agencies in all states can instantly and accurately verify the information on a paper title for authenticity with that of what is electronically stored from the state issued title. In this thesis, the literature review examines how public policies and federal agencies, like U.S. Customs and Border Protection, have inadvertently created loopholes for criminals to steal and then ship these vehicles from large U.S. ports. The case study demonstrates that even a local law enforcement agency as large as the NYPD is challenged to adequately address this problem. Also, the literature review reveals the need to better assess the size of the exported stolen vehicle problem and its impact on international crime and international terrorism. This research was hindered by the daunting fact of inadequate knowledge regarding the total number of stolen vehicles taken illegally across over U.S. borders. Enforcement agencies have data on vehicles recovered, but vehicles recovery data is only a proxy measure. This research corroborates the need for systems level change but emphasizes programmatic changes that can be implemented at all levels of government. It also highlights the need for consistency in national policies regulating the exportation of motor vehicles. These programmatic and policy changes can be viewed as recommendations, and if implemented, could provide assurances that stolen exported motor vehicles are lessened as a homeland security threat.