NICB Releases 2018 Hot Spot Vehicle Theft Report

6 Aug 2019

Vehicle theft isn’t as much of an issue as it was in the early 1990s. In fact, because of increased law enforcement, increased vigilance and technological advances, there are fewer than half of car thefts today. Even so, when owning a car, you still need to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of your vehicle, particularly in certain cities.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau has launched its yearly “Hot Spot’s report where it ranks hundreds of U.S. metro locations based on their auto theft rates. According to the NICB, for every 100,000 of communities’ residents, there were up to 780 vehicle thefts last year.

Hot Spots takes a look at the National Crime Information Center’s (NCIC’s) data on vehicle theft for each of the metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) of the nation. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) designates MSAs which frequently include locations much bigger than the cities being named. For instance, thefts in the entire Bernalillo County are included in the Albuquerque, N.M. MSA, not just Albuquerque.

While you may think Chicago, New York City and the other bigger cities of the nation might have the greatest rate of auto thefts, and overall, they do register a larger number of auto crimes, it’s the smaller cities that usually show a greater per-capita frequency than areas with more residents.

The 10 U.S. metropolitan locations listed by the NICB as having the greatest per-capita auto theft rates along with the number of stolen vehicles reported last year are:

Albuquerque, N.M with 7,146 thefts
Anchorage, AK with 3,087
Bakersfield, CA with 6,748
Pueblo, CO with 1,175
Modesto, CA with 3,428
Redding, CA with 1,037
Stockton, CA with 4,287
Wichita, KS with 3,547
Vallejo, CA with 2,404
St. Joseph, MO with 674

The NICB offers information on the four “layers of protection” to protect against vehicle theft. These are:

1. Common Sense: Close your windows and lock your doors, take your keys out of the car when you’re not in it and park in well-lit areas.
Warning Device: These are audible and visible devices that warn thieves your vehicle is safeguarded. They include:

Brake locks
Wheel locks
Audible alarms
Theft-deterrent decals
VIN etching
Brake pedal/steering wheel lock

Immobilizing Device: Devices that prevent thieves from being able to bypass the ignition and hot-wire your vehicle, including:

Kill switches
Smart keys
Wireless ignition authentication
Fuse cut-offs
Ignition, starter and fuel pump disablers

GPS Tracking Device: A GPS tracking system in your car that emits a signal to a monitoring station or law enforcement in the event someone steals your vehicle. They help police track and recover your vehicle.

By following these four “layers of protection” you can hopefully deter thieves and protect your vehicle from becoming another statistic.

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About George Karonis

George Karonis is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of LiveViewGPS Inc., a company he established in 2008 with the vision of making real-time GPS tracking more reliable, affordable, and accessible for businesses of all sizes. Over the past two decades, he has built a reputation as an innovator in GPS tracking, fleet management, asset monitoring, and Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PTToC) communications. Under George's leadership, LiveViewGPS has grown into a nationally recognized provider of GPS tracking solutions, serving businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, law enforcement organizations, and public works departments throughout the United States. The company's technology helps organizations improve operational efficiency, protect valuable assets, increase driver safety, and reduce operating costs through real-time location intelligence. Before founding LiveViewGPS, George developed a background in security, surveillance, and emerging location technologies. His passion for innovation and practical problem solving has driven the development of products that combine dependable hardware with easy-to-use cloud software, giving customers actionable information when it matters most. In 2018, George expanded into nationwide Push-to-Talk over Cellular communications by launching PeakPTT, providing businesses with rugged, instant communication solutions that operate over LTE and Wi-Fi networks. His focus has remained the same throughout his career: delivering dependable technology backed by exceptional customer service and long-term customer relationships. George regularly writes about GPS tracking, fleet management, asset protection, business technology, and communication systems. Through this blog, he shares industry insights, practical advice, and emerging trends to help organizations make informed decisions about tracking technology and connected operations.