California Cities Makes NICB’s 8 of the 10 Hot Spots for Vehicle Thefts

Vehicle theft is a problem throughout all states in America; however, if you live in the state of California, there is a far greater chance your car will be stolen than if you live anywhere else in the country. Why? Because California experiences the highest percentage of vehicle thefts in the United States. In fact, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICB) 2016 Hot Spots report, California’s Modesto Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) experienced the highest per capita theft rate for vehicles in the year 2015. In addition, 8 of the 10 cities listed on the latest Hot Spots report were located in the state of California.

Home to more people than any other state, coupled with the fact that this state as the most vehicles on the road, it’s no wonder that California has the highest rate of vehicle theft.

According to the Hot Spots report, the following areas experienced the highest level of vehicle theft in the United States during the 2015 calendar year:

10. Vallejo – Fairfield, CA Metropolitan Area – 2,352 vehicle thefts, or a rate of
11. Riverside – San Bernardino – Ontario, CA Metropolitan Area – 25,001 thefts
12. Merced, CA Metropolitan Area – 1,605 thefts
13. Pueblo, CO Metropolitan Area – 983 thefts
14. Stockton-Lodi, CA Metropolitan Area – 4,656 thefts
15. San Francisco – Oakland – Hayward, CA Metropolitan Area – 30,554
16. Salina, CA Metropolitan Area – 2,934 thefts
17. Bakersfield, CA Metropolitan Area – 6,000 thefts
18. Albuquerque, NM Metropolitan Area – 6,657 thefts
19. Modesto, CA Metropolitan Area – 4,072 thefts

The information represented on the NICB’s Hot Spots report was compiled using the data that was submitted to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) by law enforcement officials.

Given the fact that the vehicle theft rate is so high in California, it would behoove residents of the state who own cars to take certain precautions to prevent theft. These precautions include:

• Making sure to remove the keys from the car and lock the doors
• Install an anti-theft device, such as an alarm
• Install a immobilizing device, such as a ‘kill’ switch
• Install a GPS tracking device, which would allow the car to be located and recover, should it be stolen.

Not only should residents of California take these precautions into consideration, but drivers in all areas of the United States should, too.

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