car theft

Dude, Where’s My Car?

Want to know if your city ranks among the Top 10 Car-Theft Hot Spots? If you live in one of California’s metropolitan areas, chances are it does.

A recent NCIB (National Crime Information Center) report revealed that 9 of the Top 10 Car-Theft Hot Spots for 2013 were in California:

  1. Bakersfield, CA
  2. Fresno, CA
  3. Modesto, CA
  4. San Francisco/Oakland/Hayward, CA
  5. Stockton-Lodi, CA
  6. Redding, CA
  7. Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA
  8. Vallejo-Fairfield, CA
  9. San Jose/Sunnyvale/Santa Clara, CA
  10. Yuba City, CA

It should be noted the study was measured using per capita rates for broad metropolitan statistical areas. That way certain areas wouldn’t rank higher just because they had more residents.

The good news is that total vehicle thefts in the U.S. are down 58% from their peak in 1991. So, while California residents may want to consider using the newest anti-theft technology, the rest of the country can breath a sigh of relief. Relief that all the thieves seem to be living on the west coast these days.