Fight against auto theft boosted at national level

A national committee representing government and the private sector has been formed to battle the growing problem of vehicle theft. The new initiative, known as "Project 6116", is supported by the federal government as well as insurance industry organizations such as the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) and the Vehicle Information Centre of Canada (VICC). The initiative will primarily focus its efforts on young people who steal cars.
Marlene Viau, the sister of Sgt. Rick McDonald who was slain on duty in July 1999 by a 16-year-old driving a stolen vehicle, has been appointed the chair of the national committee. The project was given its name in memory of Sgt. McDonald, whose police badge number was "6116". Barry Ward, a Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) special investigator, has been appointed executive director of Project 6116.