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Your 2004 Membership renewal form is at the end of this newsletter!!
December 2003 Anti Vehicle Crime Association of Wisconsin, Inc.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE I know, I’m going to start to sound like my parents, or maybe even your parents too. Let’s see how many clichés I can squeeze into this Presidents message, my last. It seems that the older I get the faster time seems to pass. It doesn’t seem like I’m about to wrap up a two-year term as President of AVCAW. Two years, wait a minute, where did that just go? As I sit here in my basement home office on a Saturday morning writing this column I can hear my 10 year old and my 13 year old upstairs watching Saturday morning TV. Wait a minute, a 10 year old, a 13 year old?!!? Didn’t I just take them out of the car seat after bringing them home from the hospital? And what about this gray hair? When did that happen? I think I can blame genes from my mother’s side for the early gray. (As long as she never sees a copy of this I’ll be safe.) At least my spouse hasn’t changed a bit in the 21 years I’ve known her. (Someone please show her a copy of this) Two years as AVCAW President. Time does fly when you’re having fun doesn’t it? Okay, enough about me, let’s talk about you. In this newsletter, actually the back page, the one with the postage and address label on it, you will find your 2004 AVCAW membership renewal. Please take a moment now to double check the information on that address label. Make any necessary corrections on that page, give us an up to date phone number and email address, and send it in with your check before the fast approaching holidays. That way you won’t forget it, and we won’t have to track you down later. Also in this newsletter we’ve got an article by Tim Austin, one of the presenters at our October seminar. You will also find the 2004 meeting dates. Any member in good standing is welcomed and encouraged to attend any AVCAW meeting. Really, member participation is more than just encouraged; it is necessary to keep us vital and current. For those of you who were at the Joint seminar we sponsored with the WIASIU in October, thanks! I hope you found the topics and presentations of interest and of educational value. A lot of work (all volunteer) goes into putting this seminar together each year, throughout the year. We’re always looking for thoughts and suggestions. So, if you have a topic or a speaker you feel would be a good fit, get an email to us and we’ll get to work on it. Each year AVCAW provides a number of grants to law enforcement to attend this seminar. This year AVCAW provided 14 grants to cover the seminar fee. Being able to provide these grants would not be possible without the continued support of our sustaining members. Check out the Website for a list of those companies that help make this all possible. They are true leaders. Thus wraps up my two-year term as President. I shall leave you in the most capable hands of Glen Jones, Wisconsin State Patrol. His incoming Presidents message is page two of this newsletter. Glen will do a fine job as President, keeping the organization moving forward (at a speed not to exceed the posted limit). Thank you for allowing me to be of service. Be safe.
AVCAW Incoming President’s Message
I would like to open by expressing my appreciation to the Board of Directors for selecting me as President Elect of AVCAW. I’ve had the privilege of being on the board during the tenure of the last three Presidents of AVCAW. They have each held the position with distinction, and worked tirelessly to advance the organizational goals. Bob Feinen, Don Sebetic and Bob Suehring have all served the members admirably, and their examples and leadership set high standards of performance for future officers to emulate. I recall a discussion I had earlier this year with Chief Robert Preston from Thiensville PD. During our conversation, he said that there is one question he always asks potential applicants for hire or promotion. "What have you done to improve and better prepare yourself for this position?" Most applicants will give responses including their job responsibilities and employer sponsored training, but that is not the answer he is seeking. The question really goes to the heart of personal development. Your job responsibilities and obligatory training do not define you nearly as well as the training and education you actively seek out. It takes exceptional character and commitment to go the extra distance when developing and enhancing a skill set. Each member of AVCAW participates on a different level. Some are allowed to attend events by their employers while in paid status. Others use their own vacation or personal time. Some have access to company resources, while others invest from their own pocket. Even though that employer support can vary, the one constant among all the members is their willingness to take on the extra responsibilities for the betterment of the organization and the community. No employer is reducing workloads so a member can attend a meeting. Members willingly take on assignments for the improvement of the organization. The benefits derived from AVCAW include the knowledge that it is a critical job to do, and a job well done. The preferred answer to that question posed by Chief Preston should involve opportunities the candidate sought out, expanding knowledge while creating a network of resources to deal with a constantly evolving adversary. AVCAW is an ideal forum to help achieve that noble goal. AVCAW has spent more than a decade providing education and networking opportunities for members, and it is as essential now as it ever was. I’m looking forward to the challenges facing our organization, and with the support of the membership and board, we will continue keeping AVCAW on the cutting edge of insurance fraud detection and prevention of vehicle related crimes. Glen A. Jones
Automobile "Black Box" Technology - By Timothy Austin, Great Lakes Crash Analysis A Horrific Crash -
Automobile "Black Boxes" –
In many General Motors Vehicles manufactured as far back as the 1994 model year and in a limited number of Ford Vehicles manufactured since 2001, it may be possible to record data surrounding a collision event. Based on a 1997 NHTSA Directive, automobile manufacturers have begun to record certain crash parameters in their airbag modules. Designed primarily for occupant protection purposes, a vehicle's Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM - General Motors Vehicles) or Restraint Control Module (RCM - Ford Motor Company Vehicles) continuously monitors acceleration/deceleration changes to determine if a crash event is occurring. Then, based on accelerometer samples, the unit makes a "decision" as to whether or not to deploy the airbags. When the module senses that an event is occurring, regardless of whether or not the airbags are deployed, collision data is generally stored in the unit’s EEPROM memory. Using specially designed hardware and software manufactured by the Vetronix Corporation, this crash information can be accessed.
Stored Collision Data –
For select General Motors vehicles manufactured between the 1994 and 1999 model years, the type of information stored is primarily limited to post-collision data. The modules generally contain up to 300 milliseconds of longitudinal deceleration data, which can be used in the insurance and biomechanics industry to help determine the severity of the collision. In addition to this, informational items such as driver’s seatbelt status and general airbag command parameters are oftentimes listed. For most GM vehicles manufactured since 1999, the modules will also record up to five seconds of pre-crash data, such as vehicle speed, engine RPMs, percent throttle, and brake use.
Covered Ford vehicles, which are limited primarily to the Taurus, Crown Victoria, and Windstar families, will store post-collision data in addition to detailed information about the module’s airbag decision making process. For example, these modules may offer both longitudinal and lateral deceleration data, as well as occupant seatbelt use in addition to information concerning deployment and seatbelt pretensioner times. Again, the information can be beneficial in determining injury potential, or, when compared to the available collision evidence, can be used to detect fraudulent claims.
Accessing Information -
To recover the information stored in General Motors SDMs and Ford RCMs, the modules can be accessed either directly or through the vehicle’s Data Link Connection (DLC) port. The universal DLC, which allows diagnostic equipment to connect to the vehicle’s various computer systems, also provides a link to the airbag module. If this is not possible, or if the wiring to the module has been compromised, it can be removed from the vehicle and accessed directly. Either way, the information can be downloaded and stored for interpretation.
Data Interpretation –
Because the interpretation of crash data can be extremely complex, it is recommended that a certified technician examine the information. Each collision is different, and it is possible that the dynamics of the situation could cause an easily misunderstood reading. Currently, there are two schools authorized by the Vetronix Corporation, the Collision Safety Institute in San Diego, California, and the Institute of Police Technology and Management in Jacksonville, Florida. In most cases, it is possible to send the data, or the module itself, to a certified technician for download and interpretation. At Great Lakes Crash Analysis, we are certified to both recover and interpret collision data from airbag modules. In addition, a complete list of service providers in the United States and Canada is published by Harris Technical Services in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and can be downloaded from their website at www.harristechnical.com.
Justice for Robert Boyce -
In accessing the data stored by Christina Martinez’s 2000 Pontiac Grand Am, five seconds of pre-crash data was recovered. The information showed that she was traveling at 80 mph prior to the collision, 50 miles over the posted 30 mph speed limit. It was just before the crash that she applied her brakes to slow her vehicle. Without the data from the module, her excessive speed would never have been known. The module showed that Robert Boyce didn’t cause his own death, but rather that other factors played significant roles in the collision. Put simply, the information was invaluable in clearing Robert Boyce, and showed what really happened in the last few minutes of his life.
Timothy Austin, an ACTAR accredited crash reconstruction specialist with Great Lakes Crash Analysis, is certified by the Vetronix Corporation to both recover and interpret data from General Motors and Ford vehicles. He also works as a crash reconstructionist for the Wisconsin State Patrol in the same capacity. Tim maintains a list of covered vehicles that is updated on a regular basis and is made available upon request. He can be reached by email at info@crashanalysis.net or though Great Lakes Crash Analysis’ website, www.crashanalysis.net.
2004 AVCAW MEETING CALENDAR
For updated information check out the website at www.avcaw.org. Meetings are open to any AVCAW member in good standing.
February 3, 2004 9:30 a.m. Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department May 10, 2004 7:30 p.m. Marshfield-Board Meeting May 11, 2004 8:30 a.m. Central Wisconsin Spring Training Seminar-Marshfield August 10, 2004 10:00 a.m. Chula Vista Resort-Joint AVCAW Board meeting with WIASIU Seminar committee at 11:15 a.m. October 19, 2004 2:30 p.m. Annual Meeting December 7, 2004 9:30 a.m. American Family Insurance-Madison
Did you know…. AVCAW supports and coordinates a bait car program available to law enforcement agencies in the Wisconsin? This initiative was started by the Milwaukee Police Department and AVCAW in 1997 and has continued with other departments throughout southeastern Wisconsin. A bait car is equipped with camera and video recording unit, automatic door locks and a timed kill switch on the vehicle ignition. This allows a would be thief to begin to operate the vehicle for an extremely brief time period before they find the doors locked and the vehicle stopping. All this while being monitored by officers. Bad day for the bad guy. The bait car is titled directly to the law enforcement agency using it under a written agreement between that agency and AVCAW. A copy of this agreement is available for review upon request by any department interested in taking part in the bait car program. For more information contact AVCAW via email, avcaw@avcaw.org.
AVCAW ANNUAL MEETING October 21, 2003 Chula Vista Resort Wisconsin Dells, WI
Members present: Bob Suehring, Brian Bettinger, Kurt Klapperich, Karen Bird, Kelle Taylor, Larry Burzynski, Rich Lesniewski, Jeff Lorentz, John Finnegan, Rich Waldherr, Glen Jones, Will Tingue, Don Sebetic, Bill Lundy, Peter Samb, Sue Cox, Wendy Scheper, Steven Reid.
Brian Bettinger made a motion to accept the Secretary’s report, Larry Burzynski seconded.
Brian Bettinger made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report, Don Sebetic seconded. Report accepted.
Karen Bird and Kurt Klapperich went over all of the amounts received. $5700 has been received as of 10/21/03. Kurt thanked the companies who contributed, especially the ones that do not participate in AVCAW.
NEW BUSINESS: Steve Reid, investigator at DOT and VP of IAATI spoke about the possibility of a theft task force for auto theft in the state of WI. There is interest with the attorney general to have this. He asked that member companies if there would be any interest in participating. The task force would set up grants for law enforcement training and use SIU people to help out. Per Larry, AVCAM is used by the state of MN to decide who gets grants and their magazine highlights major cases that the money is helping with. Some issues were discussed about this and the growing cost to insurance companies on thefts. Bob Suehring asked Steve to write an article about it for the newsletter. Elections were held for new board members. If a spot is vacated, any member in good standing can be nominated and elected at a Board meeting. Board Members that were nominated and elected to begin term 1/1/04 are: John Finnegan, Wendy Scheper, Kurt Klapperich, Bill Lundy, Greg Peterson. Meeting adjourned into closed session for Executive Board elections. Glen Jones was elected President, Kurt Klapperich was elected Vice President, Karen Bird was elected Secretary, and Sue Cox was elected Treasurer. ***************************************************************
AVCAW QUARTERLY MEETING December 2, 2003 American Family Insurance Madison, WI
Members present: Bob Suehring, Brian Bettinger, Kurt Klapperich, Karen Bird, Kelle Taylor, Jeff Lorentz, John Finnegan, Rich Waldherr, Glen Jones, Don Sebetic, Sue Cox, Fred Haas, Greg Peterson, Mark Abrahamson
Don Sebetic made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report, Fred Haas seconded. Report accepted.
Karen Bird and Kurt Klapperich went over all of the amounts received. $5700 has been received as of 12/02/03. Discussion ensued about the company ARCCA becoming a member. Their representative approached Bill Lundy at the October seminar and he asked Karen Bird about them becoming a member. We discussed whether they meet the qualifications for sustaining membership and the by-laws were reviewed. Glen Jones made a motion to leave this decision to the membership committee and have them present something at the February meeting. Greg Peterson seconded the motion. Motion was approved. Karen and Kurt will have Fred Haas get the 2004 plaque stickers. Sue Cox acknowledged that we need to make sure the website is updated every time a contribution made. Bob Suehring will make sure to update the website.
Tues. Feb. 3rd 9:30AM Kenosha Sheriff Mon. May 10th 7:30 PM Marshfield Tues. Aug 10th 10:00AM Chula Vista Tues. Oct 19th 2:30PM Annual Meeting, Chula Vista Tues. Dec. 7th 9:30AM American Family, Madison. Brian Bettinger will take care of the logistics for the Spring Seminar. Jeff Lorentz introduced Mark Abrahamson out of Fond du Lac State Patrol. He will be the new AVCAW participant. Bob Suehring presented gifts to Don Sebetic and Brian Bettinger for being recognized as individuals that go beyond the call of duty
2004 AVCAW Membership Renewal!
2003 Members in good standing should receive a printed copy of this newsletter by 12/20/2003. If so, please check the information on the address label on this page on your printed copy. Make any necessary corrections. Return the entire page, or a good photocopy thereof, along with your check for $15.00 to renew your membership for 2004. Your prompt reply will be much appreciated. Renewing your membership now saves AVCAW additional expense in sending out follow up renewal notices. IF you did not receive your printed copy, email AVCAW. We'll get a renewal form out to you right away. Email address is avcaw@avcaw.org. In addition to checking your name and address, please give us your most current: Email Address: ______________________________________________________ Phone Number: ______________________________________________________ Fax Number: ________________________________________________________ Return this membership renewal and you $15.00 payment to: AVCAW P O Box 1522 Brookfield, WI 53008-1522
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In
June of 2000, Robert Boyce lost his life in Green Bay when he pulled out
in front of a vehicle driven by Christina Martinez. By all accounts, it
looked like Boyce caused his own death in the crash. His son, Kyle, who
was riding right beside him, remembered only that his father had stopped
before pulling out. The next thing he could remember was their small
pickup truck being pushed up against a utility pole, and his being
covered in his father’s blood. While the facts seemed straightforward,
it just didn’t make sense that the experienced Boyce would pull out in
front of Martinez’s car on a bright and clear sunny day. What was
needed was a witness to the crash, one that would be truthful and
unshakable. A witness was needed that could show without a doubt what
really happened. And, that witness did come along, in the form of data
stored in Martinez’s Pontiac Grand Am.