IBC receives award for developing PATNET to fight auto theft

HALIFAX, Nov. 7, 2013 /CNW/ - Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the proud recipient of the New Brunswick Crime Prevention Association's Business Excellence Award for its development of the New Brunswick Provincial Auto Theft Network (NB PATNET). The award recognizes organizations that have made an outstanding contribution to crime prevention in their communities.

IBC co-founded PATNET in 2010 to build partnerships between the property and casualty insurance industry and law enforcement agencies in order to combat auto theft. The network links police officers across the province and IBC's auto theft and fraud investigators through ongoing training programs such as the popular Red Flags at the Roadside seminars and regular communication and information sharing.

"IBC is honoured to receive this award. PATNET is an important tool that has successfully helped law enforcement officials reduce auto theft and fraud in the Atlantic region. And it has great potential to reduce crime in other parts of the country. In fact, our plan is to launch this network nationally," says Amanda Dean, IBC's Vice-President, Atlantic.

"The Crime Prevention Association is pleased to present our Business Excellence Award to the Insurance Bureau of Canada and, in particular, to Mr. Guy Ouellette in recognition of his outstanding contribution to crime prevention initiatives in the community," says Linda Patterson, chair, New Brunswick Crime Prevention Association.

"Without the investment of IBC and the commitment of Guy Ouellette, PATNET would not be in existence. We thank you for your continued support of crime prevention initiatives in our province," added Patterson.

"NB PATNET is a local solution for breaking down the communication barriers between our law enforcement community. The sharing of information has never been better in my 36 years investigating stolen vehicles. NB PATNET works and will serve as the model for other jurisdictions," says Guy Ouellette, Auto Theft Investigator, Atlantic with IBC.

PATNET expanded into Nova Scotia in September, providing initial training seminars to 40 law enforcement officers from across that province. PATNET will expand into Prince Edward Island and across the rest of the country in the near future.

PATNET's success stories include investigations in both Ontario and Quebec that resulted in the recovery of commercial cargo loads that had been stolen in New Brunswick. These successes demonstrate the need for continued knowledge sharing and partnerships between insurers and the law enforcement community.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada
Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. The P&C insurance industry employs over 118,600 Canadians, pays more than $7 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $46 billion.

To view media releases and other information, visit the media section of IBC's website at www.ibc.ca. Follow IBC on Twitter @InsuranceBureau or like us on Facebook.

SOURCE: Insurance Bureau of Canada

If you require more information, IBC spokespeople are available to discuss the details in this media release.

To schedule an interview, please contact:

Helen Lialias
Media Relations Officer
Insurance Bureau of Canada
416-362-2031 ext. 4312
[email protected]

Linda Patterson
Chair, New Brunswick Crime Prevention Association
506-446-5992
[email protected]