ONCE AGAIN THIS YEAR, BALLOONISTS PARTICIPATING IN THE BALLOON FIESTA CAN GET A GPS MONITORING DEVICE TO HELP PROTECT THEIR EQUIPMENT FROM THEFT. THE SYSTEM IS BEING PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE. MARK TORRES IS A SPECIAL AGENT WITH THE OFFICE. HE TELLS US THE GPS UNITS ARE PLACED IN THE VEHICLES WHEN THE BALLOONIST REGISTERS FOR THE EVENT. EVERY UNIT HAS AN AGENT TO MONITOR THEIR GPS WHO IS ACTIVATED ONCE THE VEHICLE OR EQUIPMENT IS REPORTED STOLEN.
TORRES SAYS A VEHICLE WAS STOLEN THREE YEARS AGO BUT THERE HAVE BEEN NO SUCCESSFUL THEFTS SINCE THE GPS PROGRAM WAS STARTED TWO YEARS AGO.
