Vehicle Theft is Rising after Years of Decline
Auto theft prevention requires a comprehensive security plan.

* Motor vehicles were stolen every 46 seconds in the US in 2014.
* 700,000 cars, trucks, and motorcycles were stolen.
* Vehicle theft loss estimates $4.5 Billion per year.

Auto Theft Prevention - Is our Responsibility

45% of stolen vehicles are never recovered.
Only 13% of car thieves are arrested in big cities.
33% of auto theft victims left an ignition key in the vehicle.

Podcast Time Stamps:

-- Vehicle theft is a lucrative business for organized crime.

-- FBI Uniform Crime Reports - 2014 - Statistics about vehicle theft.

-- Develop an auto theft prevention security plan.

-- Top ten stolen vehicles. FBI UCR 2014.

-- Peak vehicle theft year was 1991.

-- Transponder technology aids police in recovering stolen vehicles.

-- Most active months for vehicle theft.

-- High risk behavior increases auto theft risks.

-- Highest vehicle theft rate in seaport and Mexican border cities

-- One-third of vehicles stolen had keys inside.

-- Vehicle theft arrest rate is low especially in big cities.

-- Contents of a car is often the reason for it being stolen.

-- Rule of thumb and security plan for vehicle contents.

-- Beware of vehicle navigation system programming.

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Top Ten States with Most Vehicle Thefts - 2014

California --151,852
Texas -- 68,546
Florida -- 42,579
Washington --30,647
Georgia -- 26,854
Michigan -- 21,157
Ohio -- 18,015
Arizona -- 17,587
Illinois -- 17,451
Missouri -- 16,357

Top Ten States with Fewest Vehicle Thefts - 2014

* Vermont -- 244
* Wyoming -- 603
* Maine -- 799
* New Hampshire -- 857
* South Dakota -- 1,007
* Delaware -- 1,267
* North Dakota -- 1,514
* Idaho -- 1,661
* Alaska -- 1,739
* Rhode Island -- 1,833

Top Ten Stolen Vehicles - 2014

* Honda Accord
* Honda Civic
* Ford Pick-Up Truck
* Chevy Pick-Up Truck
* Toyota Camry
* Dodge Caravan
* Nissan Altima
* Acura Integra
* Nissian Maxima

Top Auto Theft Months

* July
* August

Nationwide Auto Theft Rate (100,000 population)

* West -- 216.2
* South -- 210.3
* Midwest -- 181.8
* Northeast -- 104.3

Vehicle Types Stolen Most Often

* Cars -- 74.5%
* Trucks -- 14.9%
* Motorcycles & Other 10.6%

Highest Risk Cities for Vehicle Theft in US - 2014

* San Francisco, CA
* Bakersfield, CA
* Stockton, CA
* Odessa, TX
* Modesto, CA
* Spokane, WA
* Vallejo, CA
* Seattle, WA
* Fresno, CA
* San Jose, CA

Auto Theft Prevention Tips (most obvious)

* Reside in the lowest crime zip-code you can afford.
* Avoid big cities on a sea port or near a border with Mexico.
* Park your vehicle inside a locked private garage.
* Avoid owning a car on the top ten most stolen list.
* Avoid flashy wheels, accessories, and high performance parts.
* Avoid leaving your car in public parking lots for extended periods.