Protect your plates

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Regina Agoha
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  Little Rock Air Force Base has recently encountered several issues with license plates and car registrations being "borrowed" and/or stolen.

Team Little Rock members should be aware of the consequences that follow these actions as well as be advised to take precautionary measures to ensure their personal information is protected.

"Members have been using old plates, allowing other members to borrow their license plates, or just taking plates without permission," said Capt. Danielle Crowder, 19th Airlift Wing chief of military justice.

"Car registration and license plates are issued for only one specific vehicle. You must pay the annual taxes in order to renew them. People use other plates/registration to get out of paying the taxes for their own vehicle. It is a similar offense to failing to have valid car insurance."

Capt. Jared Dorland, 19th Security Forces Squadron operations officer, said every license plate is specific to the vehicle with which it is registered. Using a different vehicle's license plate on your vehicle, regardless of whether you own both vehicles, is a criminal offense.

Crowder said it is a violation of state law and has negative consequences no matter if one is caught on or off base. However, it doesn't matter if a person is military or civilian, consequences will follow this offense.

"Military members caught committing this offense will be apprehended by the 19th SFS and referred to their military leadership for disciplinary action," said Dorland.

Crowder said on-base, military members can expect a non-judicial punishment or paperwork.

"Civilians will be detained by the 19th SFS and arrested by Jacksonville police," said Dorland. "Within the state of Arkansas, this is a misdemeanor offense."

There are no definite ways to prevent one's self from being a victim of this kind of theft, but Dorland suggest some ways to make it a little less easy.

"The most secure way would be to use screws which require a unique or uncommon screwdriver to affix the license plate," he said. "However, the most effective practice is to regularly walk around your vehicle and inspect it for missing items or damage. If this is done regularly and often, it will be easier to identify where, and perhaps who, may have stolen your license plate or damaged your vehicle. Additionally, it is always best to park your vehicle in well-lit areas where an individual stealing a license plate is more likely to be observed."

The 19th SFS checks license plates every time a vehicle is stopped for a traffic offense. Additionally, they conduct random checks on vehicles in order to verify current and valid registration and insurance.

If anyone observes suspicious behavior immediately report it to the 19th SFS.

"If you identify that your license plates are stolen," said Dorland, "please report it Security Forces immediately. License plates are often stolen in conjunction with other crimes and a quick report on a stolen plate may lead to the capture of a serious offender."