For 2005 the ten metropolitan statistical areas with the highest vehicle theft rates are:
1. Modesto, CA
2. Las Vegas/Paradise, NV
3. Stockton, CA
4. Phoenix/Mesa/Scottsdale, AZ
5. Visalia/Porterville, CA
6. Seattle/Tacoma/Bellevue, WA
7. Sacramento/Arden-Arcade/Roseville, CA
8. San Diego/Carlsbad/San Marcos, CA
9. Fresno, CA
10. Yakima, WA
There has been a decrease of 2.1% in motor vehicle theft between Jan-June 2004 and Jan-June 2005. That is of course great news not only for insurers but us owners and operators of automobiles. The press release also goes over some preventative ways for avoiding becoming a car theft victim. From simply parking in a well-lit area and using wheel locks to “smart keys” they offer a “layered approach” to combating car theft.
I have fortunately avoided this scenario but have been the victim of stereo thievery. I found once my alarm was actually activated it proved to be quite the deterrent to theft. Go figure.
