Car thefts in Honolulu have been on the decline, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s Hot Spots auto theft report. There were about 3,633 car thefts in Honolulu last year, down 26% from the 4,935 thefts in 2006 and down 35% from the 5,602 thefts in 2005. Honolulu was in 82nd position in the nation based on its per capita rate of auto thefts. Honolulu had a rate of 401 vehicle thefts per 100,000 residents. Modesto, California, took the No.1 spot, with 5,358 thefts and a rate of 1,047. The rate determination used the 2007 U.S. Census Population Estimates, the most current figures available, according to the bureau.
In 2007, for the second year in a row, the 1991 Honda Accord and 1995 Honda Civic led a list of most reported stolen cars, according to Hot Wheels 2008, the companion study to the Hot Spots auto theft report. Also making the top 10 for 2007 were the 1989 Toyota Camry, 1994 Chevrolet C/K 1500 Pickup, 1997 Ford F-150 Series Pickup, 1994 Acura Integra, 1994 Nissan Sentra, 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup, 1988 Toyota Pickup and the 2007 Toyota Corolla.
According to the bureau, they have confirmed that theft of older model vehicles has remained constant for the past several years. Thieves continue to target older vehicles because they provide the best market for stolen vehicle parts. Preliminary data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report reveal that motor vehicle theft is headed for an 8.9% decrease in 2007; however the final figures will be released later this year.
Today’s car thief works with laptops, digital imaging, and high tech equipment that can circumvent most tracking devices. Car thieves will take a specialty order from a guy in Eastern Europe, steal the car, and even give tips on how to dress while driving it. Specialty orders can include selection of color, interior, rims, sunroof, etc. If they get caught, the penalties charged are much milder in comparison to other offenses like those for dealing narcotics.
According to Agent Horsley, “Car theft has become the profession of choice for those former narcotic traffickers who have made it to their late 30s or 40s and who have the financial backing. These guys are good. They are so good they can get a luxury sport utility vehicle to you faster than the factory.”
Car thefts in the region have been moribund so much that the Seattle metro area is no longer on the top-ten list countrywide for uppermost number of car thefts. The Seattle metro region was grade sixth in the nation per capita for car thefts, but a 2007 study shows that the region has dropped to 16th. Prosecutors credit the turn down to the work of local law enforcement and the King County Prosecutor’s Car Theft part, which was bent in 2005 in an endeavor to break down on the skyrocketing number of car thefts in King County.
King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg said the county has knowledgeable a 55 percent reduce in car thefts as 2005. The office files cases on a hurry foundation and prosecutors are seeking longer sentences. “It is our goal to see the Seattle area drop out of the top 25. We are no longer a welcoming place to car thieves. Satterberg said that local police bureau have done an outstanding job of reducing car thefts. Novel investigative tools are being made use of, such as lure cars with cartridge cameras. Some local police agencies have also urbanized particular enforcement teams that are locate and arresting replicate car thieves. Special enforcement teams have been ascertained at the police unit for Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Kent, and Renton.
The predictable yearly savings for insurance costs as a result of the drop in car thefts is over $50 million in King County alone.
For the past few years, the number of automobile thefts has increased at a startling pace in the United States. Today no longer youngsters’ moves around the province on a jolly ride due the fact that automobiles are gets steeled. On the other hand, automobile theft has become a big business not only in US but across the globe.
The reason for the launch of this website is to help auto mobile owners to prevent thefts. Everyone from the automobile and security industries,insurance industry, the government, law enforcers and the automobile owners must form a united group to fight the problem of automobile theft, as this has become a serious problem and a threat to both psychological and economic welfares for the people in America.
This website gives you wide knowledge on how to prevent crime and how to protect your auto from theft. We believe that this auto theft prevention website, AutoThiefs.com will be very helpful for automobile owners and for those who are working in the automobile industry. Don’t forget to bookmark this informative website and keep visiting our Auto Theft News section which will keep you updated with valuable information.
Taking precautionary measures can minimize your chances of becoming the victim of auto theft. Here are some tips you can use to avoid being the victim of a car thief:
Never leave your car unlocked, or running, even to dash into a business for just a second.
Never leave keys in the car or ignition, inside a locked garage, or in hide-a-key boxes.
Always roll up your windows and lock the car, even if it is parked in front of your home.
Never leave valuables in plain view, even if your car is locked. Put them in the trunk out-of-sight.
Always park in high-traffic, well-lighted areas, when possible.
Install a mechanical device that locks the steering wheel, column, or brakes.
Investigate the purchase of a vehicle theft tracking/security system, especially if you own one of the frequently-stolen vehicles.
Never leave personal identification documents, vehicle ownership title, or credit cards in your vehicle.
If you must leave your key with a valet, attendant, or mechanic, leave only the ignition key. Make sure you are dealing with a reputable firm.
In high theft areas the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) should be etched on windows, doors, fenders and trunk lid. This makes it difficult for a thief to market your stolen car parts.
Copy your license plate and vehicle information (VIN) numbers on a card and keep them with you. If your vehicle is stolen, the police will need this information to take a report.
Many vehicles today come with some type of security system from the factory. Normally there are upgraded systems available if you ask. The best choices are systems that shut off the fuel supply so that a car can’t be started or driven.
If your vehicle is stolen, report it to the police immediately.