Section 16-8-81. Legislative findings

   (a) The General Assembly finds and declares the following:

   (1) The annual number of reported motor vehicle thefts has exceeded 1 million. Approximately 50 percent of all larcenies reported to law enforcement authorities in the United States are directed against motor vehicles. The recovery rate of stolen motor vehicles has decreased significantly during the most recent decade;

   (2) Thefts of motor vehicles and the disposition of stolen motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts are becoming more professional in nature. Such theft and disposition activities have attracted criminal elements which have used intimidation and violence as a means of obtaining increased control of such activities;

   (3) The theft of motor vehicles has brought increased and unnecessary burdens to motor vehicle users and taxpayers, as the national financial cost of motor vehicle related theft offenses currently approaches $5 billion annually;

   (4) Prosecutors should give increased emphasis to the prosecution of persons committing motor vehicle thefts, with particular emphasis given to professional motor vehicle theft operations and to persons engaged in the dismantling of stolen motor vehicles for the purpose of trafficking in stolen motor vehicle parts; and

   (5) Traditional law enforcement strategies and techniques that concentrate on bringing criminal penalties to bear on motor vehicle thieves, but do not focus on chop shops that are heavily involved in the dismantling of stolen motor vehicles or the distribution of motor vehicle parts and that do not enlist the assistance of private enforcement and use civil sanctions, are inadequate to control motor vehicle theft, as well as related offenses. Comprehensive strategies must be formulated; more effective law enforcement techniques must be developed; evidentiary, procedural, and substantive laws must be strengthened; and criminal penalties and civil sanctions must be enhanced.

(b) The General Assembly, therefore, concludes that for the protection of the general public interest, the "Motor Vehicle Chop Shop and Stolen and Altered Property Act" shall be enacted.

Code 1981, § 16-8-81, enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 1805, § 1.