Gojirra99

Nationally, Auto Theft on Pace for Second Straight Year of Declines

DES PLAINES, Ill., May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Insurance Crime
Bureau (NICB) reported today that for calendar year 2005, the West, and
particularly California, is indeed heaven for the nation's auto thieves.
All of the nation's top ten areas with the highest vehicle theft rates are
in the West with six of them in California.

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

According to Hot Spots, its annual report on auto theft rates, NICB
reviewed data supplied by the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) for
each of the nation's 360 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). MSAs are
designated by the Office of Management and Budget and may include areas
surrounding a specific city. For example, the number one Hot Spot in the
current report is Modesto, CA. The Modesto MSA, however, includes data not
only from the city of Modesto, but the entire county of Stanislaus in which
Modesto is located.

The rate is determined by the number of vehicle theft offenses per
100,000 inhabitants using the 2004 U.S. Census Population Estimates, the
most current figures available.

Preliminary FBI data shows a 2.1% decrease in motor vehicle thefts
during January-June, 2005 when compared with the same period in 2004.
Nationally, this is the second straight year of decreases in vehicle theft
and that is good news.

"The continued reduction in auto thefts is good news for our member
companies and the general public," said NICB President and Chief Executive
Officer Robert M. Bryant. "NICB has been instrumental in attacking this
problem through expanded efforts with our member companies and law
enforcement. For example, the bait car program is most effective and in
those communities where bait cars are employed, there have been significant
declines in the auto theft problem.

"Bait cars are just one of the many tools that the insurance industry
provides -- through NICB -- to local law enforcement to help prevent and
deter vehicle theft," Bryant said.

NICB recommends the following actions under its "layered approach" to
protection that automobile owners can take to minimize their risk and
prevent their car from becoming the next statistic:

Common Sense -- An unlocked vehicle with a key in the ignition is an
open invitation to any thief, regardless of which anti-theft device you
use. The common sense approach to protection is the simplest and most
cost-effective way to thwart would-be thieves. Secure your vehicle even if
parking for brief periods. You should always:

* Remove your keys from the ignition
* Lock your doors/close your windows
* Park in a well-lit area

Warning Device -- The second layer of protection is a visible or
audible device which alerts thieves that your vehicle is protected. Popular
second layer devices include:

* Audible alarms
* Steering column collars
* Steering wheel/brake pedal lock
* Wheel locks
* Theft deterrent decals
* Identification markers in or on vehicle
* VIN etching

Immobilizing Device -- The third layer of protection is a device which
prevents thieves from bypassing your ignition and hot-wiring the vehicle.
Some electronic devices have computer chips in ignition keys. Other devices
inhibit the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine until a hidden switch
or button is activated. Popular third layer devices include:

* Smart keys
* Kill switches
* Starter, ignition, and fuel pump disablers

Tracking Device -- The final layer of protection is a tracking device
which emits a signal to police or a monitoring station when the vehicle is
stolen. Tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover
stolen vehicles.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau is the nation's leading non-profit
organization exclusively dedicated to preventing, detecting and defeating
insurance fraud and vehicle theft through information analysis,
investigations, training and public awareness.

Anyone with information concerning auto theft and insurance fraud can
report it anonymously by calling toll-free 1-800-TEL-NICB (1-800-835-6422)
or by visiting our web site.

For the complete information on Hot Spots 2005, please visit
http://www.nicb.org.


SOURCE The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)

nyARISTO

dammmmn i thought NEW YORK was bad ............ good thing i chain my car down

MR LEX

Damn, Seattle moves up to 6 from 10 in 2004!

Lex

newr

i live in #7 which is a neighbor to # 1, #2 & #3