NICB Encourages Use of GPS Tracking to Thwart Vehicle Theft

Not exactly the type of list you want to dominate.

California tops the list of the most stolen cars in the U.S. and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) encourages the use of GPS tracking devices to prevent it from happening.

The just announced study revealed the cities in the United States with the highest percentage of cars stolen. The study analyzed “Hot Spots” based on a per capita review of thefts in the metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) in the U.S. The study was performed by the NICB, which is also shows results almost identical to what the FBI had for vehicle theft in 2012.

The numbers from this study show that there is a slight increase of 1.3 percent in vehicle thefts in 2012, up from the results in 2011. After a downward trend of eight consecutive years, this is the first year of an overall increase.

Eight of the 10 top cities are in California, while the other 2 are from Washington. Overall, the West region of the U.S. shows a rise of 10.6 percent in vehicle thefts from 2011. The Northeast, Midwest and South actually saw a lower percentage of vehicle thefts in their regions.

A significant trend year after year, shows the majority of the Hot Spot cities on the list being from California. Frank Scafidi, director of public affairs at NICB, had this to say after last year’s study: “California has dominated the list for years. There are simply many more vehicles there than in any other state, and way more people,” Frank Scafidi, director of public affairs at NICB, told Forbes following the 2011 Hot Spots study. With that combination, you see more vehicle thefts, Scafidi said.

Eight of the cities on the list of the most thefts in the U.S. were also on the list in 2011. NICB notes that if more cars utilized GPS tracking technology, the number of theft would be significantly reduced.

Here are the  top 10 most vehicle thefts in the U.S. in 2012 according to the report:

• Modesto, California
•  Bakersfield-Delano, California
• Stockton, California
• Yakima, Washington
• San Francisco/Oakland/Hayward, California
• San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California
• Vallejo-Fairfield, California
• Spokane-Spokane Valley, California
• Redding, California

Incidently, here is NCIB’s 2011 list of the most stolen car types.

The NCIB also released advice for reducing vehicle theft and preventing it from happening. The advice included common sense advice like locking your doors and windows, not leaving your keys in the ignition and always parking in a well-lit or public area. They also promote using safety devices in your vehicle, such as alarms, brake locks, kill switches, fuse cut-offs, smart keys, theft deterrent car decals, VIN etching, steering wheel locks and steering column collars.

Finally, the NCIB encourages the use of GPS tracking devices in the vehicle to monitor its whereabouts. Having GPS in your vehicle is convenient while driving as a navigational system, but it can also be used to deter thieves, or at least track down your vehicle if it was stolen. If you have a GPS device and your vehicle is stolen, you use it from a remote location and monitor its location. With the help of local police, you can track down the vehicle and have it returned to you. GPS alerts you immediately when the vehicle is moved from its location.

Police in various cities are are getting tough on motor vehicle  thieves by planting bait cars armed with GPS tracking devices that notify authorities when a vehicle is stolen.

NICB is requesting that people who have automotive theft information to call 800-TEL-NICB (800-835-6422), submit a form onwww.nicb.org, or text keyword “fraud” to TIP411 (847411) Android, iPad, or iPhone device users can also download the anonymous NICB Fraud Tips app.

Take a look at NICB’s website to view the entire 2012 Hot Spots list.

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