Top
U.S. Cities with the Highest Vehicle Theft Rates
Where
is your car most likely to get stolen? In Las Vegas, Nev., according to recent
statistics released by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). After a three-year
run, Sin City has fallen into the dreaded top position formerly belonging to Modesto,
Calif.
Since 2005, West Coast states
have ranked the highest in auto theft rates, with five top vehicle theft cities
resting in California alone.
The NICB
recently released its 2006 statistics, ranking 10 of the country's top metropolitan
cities with the highest vehicle theft rates. As of 2006, the top 10 vehicle theft
cities include:
1. Las Vegas/Paradise,
Nev.
2. Stockton, Calif.
3. Visalia/Porterville, Calif.
4. Phoenix/Mesa/Scottsdale,
Ariz.
5. Modesto, Calif.
6. Seattle/Tacoma/Bellevue, Wash.
7. Sacramento/Arden-Arcade/Roseville,
Calif.
8. Fresno, Calif.
9. Yakima, Wash.
10. Tucson, Ariz.
The
top 10 cities were compiled using data supplied by the National Crime Information
Center (NCIC). Statistics from each of the nation's 361 Metropolitan Statistical
Areas (MSAs) were combined with the number of vehicle theft offenses per 100,000
inhabitants, as reported by the 2005 U.S. Census Population Estimates. These current
figures produced cities with the largest vehicle theft rates based on population.
According
to Robert M. Bryant, NICB president and chief executive officer, drivers can prevent
vehicle thefts, even in high-crime areas.
"People
can take any number of precautions to protect themselves from vehicle theft and,
in most cases, those are sufficient to prevent a theft," Bryant said. "But
a determined thief, a serial vehicle thief, is someone for whom there is no absolute
deterrent — except prison."
The
NICB provides drivers with a "layered approach" to protecting their
vehicles and minimizing their risk of car theft.
Common
Sense — An unlocked vehicle with a key in the ignition is an open invitation
to any thief, regardless of which anti-theft device you use. The common sense
approach to protection is the simplest and most cost-effective way to thwart would-be
thieves. Secure your vehicle even if parking for brief periods.
Remember:
Warning
Devices — The second layer of protection
is a visible or audible device alerting thieves that your vehicle is protected.
Popular vehicle warning devices include:
Immobilizing
Device — An additional layer of protection for vehicles is an
immobilizing device, which prevents thieves from bypassing the ignition and hot-wiring
your car. Some electronic devices have computer chips inside the ignition keys,
while other devices inhibit the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine. Immobilizing
devices available include:
Tracking
Device — A final layer of protection is a vehicle tracking device,
which signals to police or a monitoring station when a vehicle is stolen. These
tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles.
Some of the available systems employ "telematics," which combine global
positioning systems (GPS) and wireless technologies for remote monitoring. If
a vehicle moves, the system alerts the owner and tracks the vehicle via computer.
For
more information on car theft rates or what you can do to protect yourself, visit
National Insurance Crime Bureau. |
