The Baltimore Police Department recently utilized variable data printing in its direct mail campaign to fight crime. They sent personalized letters to the owners of certain kinds of Hondas that were being hit by thieves more frequently than others. In these letters, the police reminded the people of safety precautions to take to protect their cars, like parking in well-lit areas and locking doors.
“We’re trying to get the message out and make their cars a little more difficult to steal,” Lt. Daniel Kaliszak told a reporter. Kaliszak is in charge of the BCPD’s Regional Auto Theft Task Force. They identified 1994 Honda Civics and 1991 Accords as two of the top ten most frequently stolen passenger vehicles.
The campaign has resulted in an astonishing 38-percent reduction in thefts of those cars.
According to the Baltimore Sun, this campaign is the BCPD’s “first foray into the direct-marketing approach to crime prevention.” The police are sending out 13,000 direct mail letters to Baltimore residents who own Civics and/or Accords built between 1990 and 2000.
