Las Vegas is a city of high-rollers, drive-thru wedding
chapels, Elvis impersonators and, according to the National
Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), a whole lot of car thieves.
Las Vegas tops the 2006 Hot Spots ranking, the NICB's
annual report on auto theft rates, for the first time, beating
out the previous No. 1, Modesto, Calif., which fell to No. 5
after holding the top spot for three consecutive years.
The NICB study annually ranks metropolitan areas based on
their per capita vehicle theft rate and as in 2005 it once
again found the western United States ranks highest when it
comes to car thefts. All 10 cities on this year's list are in
the west---five of them in California alone. List-makers
include:
1. Las Vegas/Paradise, Nev.
2. Stockton, Calif.
3.
Visalia/Porterville, Calif.
4. Phoenix/Mesa/Scottsdale,
Ariz.
5. Modesto, Calif.
6. Seattle/Tacoma/Bellevue,
Wash.
7. Sacramento/Arden-Arcade/Roseville, Calif.
8.
Fresno, Calif.
9. Yakima, Wash.
10. Tucson, Ariz.
The NICB used data from the National Crime Information
Center (NCIC) to rate each of the nation's 361 metropolitan
statistical areas, as designated by the Office of Management
and Budget. The rate of theft is determined by the number of
automobile thefts per 100,000 residents using the 2005 U.S.
Census Population Estimates, which are the most current
figures available.
"People can take any number of precautions to protect
themselves from vehicle theft and, in most cases, those are
sufficient to prevent theft," says NICB President and CEO
Robert Bryant. "But a determined thief, a serial vehicle
thief, is someone for whom there is no absolute
deterrent---except prison."
The NICB recommends car owners take the following
precautions with their cars:
Use Common Sense --- An unlocked vehicle with a key
in the ignition is an open invitation to any thief, regardless
of which anti-theft device is used. The common-sense approach
to protection is the simplest and most cost-effective way to
thwart would-be thieves. Secure vehicles even if parking for
brief periods. And always remove keys from the ignition, lock
doors, close windows and park in a well-lit area.
Warning Device --- The second layer of protection is
a visible or audible device that alerts thieves that a vehicle
is protected. Popular second layer devices include: audible
alarms, steering column collars, steering wheel/brake pedal
lock, brake locks, wheel locks, tire locks/tire deflators,
theft deterrent decals, identification markers in or on
vehicle, VIN etching and micro dot marking.
Immobilizing Device --- The third layer of
protection is a device that prevents thieves from bypassing
the ignition and hot-wiring a 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, fuse cut-offs, kill switches, starter,
ignition, and fuel pump disablers and wireless ignition
authentication.
Tracking Device --- The final layer of protection is
a tracking device that 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. Some systems employ "telematics" which
combine GPS and wireless technologies to allow remote
monitoring of a vehicle. If the vehicle is moved the system
will alert the owner and the vehicle can be tracked via
computer.
