California tops all states for auto theft rates

In what is surely a dubious distinction, California ranks as the top state for auto theft in 2003. According to the U.S. National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), six of the top ten worst metropolitan areas in terms of theft rates are in California. This includes the worst jurisdiction Modesto as well as Stockton-Lodi, Sacramento, Fresno, Oakland and San Diego.Other cities making the “top ten” are: Phoenix-Mesa, Arizona; Las Vegas, Nevada; Miami, Florida; and Detroit, Michigan.On the brighter side, the cities of Seattle and Tacoma, Washington both dropped off of this year’s top ten, after placing ninth and tenth last year.Overall, theft numbers crept upwards last year, continuing on a trend since 2000. Total thefts were up about 1% in 2003, reaching 1.26 million. Nonetheless, this represents a drop in the rate of increase compared to previous years, the NICB points out. At the same time, however, recovery rates are dropping, something which signals the emergence of organized rings who export or “surgically dismantle” stolen vehicles.