Car Thefts Continue Downward - Nation's Sixth Consecutive Year of Declining Vehicle Thefts in the United States

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reported today that 2009 has been the nation's sixth consecutive year that showed a decline in car thefts in the US.


photo credit: Alan_D

For 2009, the 10 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) with the highest vehicle theft rates are:

2009 Ranking 2008 Ranking
1. Laredo, TX 2
2. Modesto, CA 1
3. Bakersfield, CA 5
4. Stockton, CA 6
5. Fresno, CA 10
6. Yakima, WA 3
7. San Francisco/Oakland/Fremont, CA 9
8. Visalia/Porterville, CA 11
9. Las Vegas/Paradise, NV 7
10. Albuquerque, NM 8

For more information on Hot Spots regarding car theft, please visit www.nicb.org.

"This is great news on the vehicle theft front," said Joe Wehrle, NICB president and chief executive officer. "Six straight years of vehicle theft reductions are the result of a lot of hard work on the part of law enforcement, prosecutors, legislators, NICB member companies, NICB personnel and insurance industry trade groups who have contributed expertise and energy to have an impact on this crime."

The NICB recommends several common sense approaches to prevent car theft. The top of the list is the recommendation to remove the keys from your vehicle when you leave it somewhere. Might sound stupid, but this remains the number one recommendation to prevent car theft.

Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau