Oh, Canada! Thanks for not stealing our cars.
After five straight years of declining auto thefts in the United States one thing is clear — our Mexican border remains porous not only to an influx of illegal immigrants but to an outflow of stolen vehicles. So the next time you see a Canadian, thank him or her not only for ice hockey but for their peaceable ways.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) says that 2008 marked the nation’s fifth consecutive year of declining vehicle thefts in the United States. Although most areas experienced a reduction in vehicle theft, there were several noteworthy exceptions in states that border Mexico.
“This is a mixed bag of good news and bad news on the vehicle theft front,” said Joe Wehrle, NICB president and chief executive officer. “The good news is, we’re seeing steady progress in reducing the overall theft rate and that means Americans aren’t shelling out as much to cover the cost of stolen vehicles in their insurance premiums. We’ve also seen significant decreases in key areas along the border such as San Diego, where thefts dropped nearly 20%. ”
The theft rate is calculated by the number of vehicle thefts per 100,000 inhabitants.
“The bad news is that the theft rate continues to increase in areas like El Paso and Laredo where many of the cars, trucks and SUVs being stolen are being used to carry drugs, money and weapons into and out of Mexico. These vehicle thefts are helping finance the drug cartels that are waging war on the Mexican government,” according to Wehrle.
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For 2008, the 10 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) with highest vehicle theft rates |
| 2008 Ranking 2007 Ranking |
| 1. Modesto, CA 1 |
| 2. Laredo, TX 6 |
| 3. Yakima, WA 9 |
| 4. San Diego/Carlsbad/San Marcos, CA 3 |
| 5. Bakersfield, CA 15 |
| 6. Stockton, CA 4 |
| 7. Las Vegas/Paradise, NV 2 |
| 8. Albuquerque, NM 7 |
| 9. San Francisco/Oakland/Fremont, CA 5 |
| 10. Fresno, CA 11 |
California ranks number one in total thefts. The Texas Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) of El Paso, Laredo and San Antonio, along with Las Cruces in New Mexico each saw an increase in 2008. MSAs are designated by the Office of Management and Budget and often include areas much larger than the cities for which they are named. For example, the Modesto, California, MSA includes the entire county of Stanislaus and other municipalities in addition to the city of Modesto.
NICB’s “Hot Spots” report examines vehicle theft data obtained from the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) for each of the nation’s MSAs. The rate is determined using the 2008 U.S. Census Population Estimates, the most current figures available.
Preliminary 2008 crime data released by the FBI in January indicate that 2008 will post a double-digit decline in vehicle theft when final numbers are released in the fall. If the preliminary figure of -12.6% holds, it will be the largest single year percent drop in thefts since 1999.
“NICB has a long history of working with U.S. and Mexican authorities to recover and return stolen vehicles — more than 4,000 last year alone. We strongly support efforts at the federal and state levels to reduce the flow of stolen vehicles across the border.”
Why this should be anymore successful than our current failed border security policy isn’t clear.
Nonetheless NICB recommends the following actions under its “layered approach” to vehicle theft protection:
Common Sense
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. You should always:
- — Remove your keys from the ignition
- — Lock your doors /close your windows
- — Park in a well-lit area
Warning Device
The second layer of protection is a visible or audible device which alerts thieves that your vehicle is protected. Popular second layer devices include:
- — Audible alarms
- — Steering column collars
- — Steering wheel/brake pedal lock
- — Brake locks
- — Wheel locks
- — Tire locks/tire deflators
- — Theft deterrent decals
- — Identification markers in or on vehicle
- — VIN etching
- — Micro dot marking
Immobilizing Device
The third layer of protection is a device which prevents thieves from bypassing your ignition and hot-wiring the vehicle. Some electronic devices have computer chips in ignition keys. Other devices inhibit the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine until a hidden switch or button is activated. Popular third layer devices include:
- — Smart keys
- — Fuse cut-offs
- — Kill switches
- — Starter, ignition and fuel pump disablers
- — Wireless ignition authentication
Tracking Device
The final layer of protection is a tracking device which emits a signal to police or a monitoring station when the vehicle is stolen. Tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles. Some systems employ “telematics” which combine GPS and wireless technologies to allow remote monitoring of a vehicle. If the vehicle is moved the system will alert the owner and the vehicle can be tracked via computer.
The NICB is a not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to preventing, detecting and defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft through information analysis, investigations, training, legislative advocacy and public awareness. The NICB is supported by more than 1,000 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations. Anyone with information concerning vehicle theft and insurance fraud can report it anonymously by calling toll-free 1-800-TEL-NICB (1-800-835-6422).