COTTAGE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

3820 40TH AVENUE, COTTAGE CITY, MARYLAND 20722
OFFICE: 301-927-9225---------FAX: 301-927-2299

WATCH YOUR CAR PROGRAM

The Maryland Watch Your Car Program allows police officers to stop and check the operator of any decaled vehicle between the hours of 1 AM and 5 AM.

Instructions for Placement of Maryland Watch Your Car Decals on Your Vehicle

The Watch Your Car decals are made of a self-adhesive heavy-duty reflective material that is easily seen at night. The decals are to be placed on the OUTSIDE of the registered vehicle, and according to Maryland law, limits their placement to a seven (7) inch square area located at the lower corner of the front and back windshields.

frontdecal4.gif (783 bytes)

The [rectangular] front windshield decal is placed on the vehicle’s front windshield, on the driver’s side. This decal contains legal information and notification that it is a federal offense to remove the decal without the owner’s permission. The decal should not be placed over the dashboard vehicle identification number.

                            reardecal4.gif (813 bytes)The [round] back window decal is placed on the vehicle’s back              windshield, on the driver’s side. This decal serves as a beacon to law enforcement officials that the vehicle is registered in the Watch Your Car Program.

                    (Note: Watch Your Car decals should not be placed on a vehicle's side windows.)

Copyright © 2000 Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council
Last modified: February 9, 2000

Watch your Car Mail in Application Example

Maryland Watch Your Car Program Mail-In Application
If you wish to submit your application by mail - print out this form and mail it to the
Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council at the address listed below

Registered Owner(s) Full Name(s): 
Street Address: 
City: 
County: 
State: 
Zip Code: 
Area Code & Telephone#: 
Vehicle Tag Number: 
Make: 
Model: 
Style: 
Color: 
Vehicle Identification Number:                 
Additional Drivers:    

I hereby consent and agree to the below procedures, and I have fully read and understand all the information in this waiver and agree to abide by the procedures contained therein:
Vehicles in the Watch Your Car Program that are registered in two names must be signed by both owners.

Printed Name Owner # 1: 
Signature Owner # 1: 
Date: 
Printed Name Owner # 2: 
Signature Owner # 2: 
Date: 

All Above Information Required to be Printed Except Signatures
(Kindly Use Ink)

BY REGISTERING THE ABOVE VEHICLE IN THE MARYLAND
"WATCH YOUR CAR" PROGRAM
I/WE VOLUNTARILY AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING

The above vehicle is not normally operated between the hours of 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM.

If the Police should observe a person operating the vehicle during the above hours (1:00 AM - 5:00 AM) they will reasonably suspect that the person operating the vehicle is doing so without my permission. Under these conditions, I grant consent to the Police to make an Investigation Stop of the vehicle and to determine if an authorized driver is operating the vehicle.

I also realize that persons operating my vehicle during the stated hours with my permission are subject to being stopped by the Police for investigation. It is my responsibility to advise these individuals prior to giving them my vehicle that police may stop the vehicle. In these instances, police action may include the necessary precautions taken to protect officers when approaching a potentially stolen vehicle with occupants.

I understand that I must remove both decals if I withdraw from the program. I will also notify the Vehicle Theft Prevention Council, in writing, of such withdrawal or of any changes in my address or telephone number while still in the program.

I further consent and agree to indemnify and hold harmless any local, county, state or federal duly sworn law enforcement officer or agency against any and all claims arising from my participation in this program.

Complete the above information and mail this form to: MARYLAND VEHICLE THEFT PREVENTION COUNCIL, 1125 National Highway, LaVale, MD. 21502. Upon receipt of your registration form, Watch Your Car decals along with instructions for their placement on your vehicle will be mailed to you. Questions or inquiries regarding this program may be directed to the Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council by mail or telephone on 1-800-96-THEFT or 410-486-0677 (TTY/TT). APPROPRIATE AUXILIARY AIDS AND SERVICES FOR QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED UPON REQUEST.

Copyright © 2000 Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council
Last modified: February 9, 2000

TO REGISTER ONLINE

http://www.mdautotheft.org/wycapp.htm