Car theft in the United States is hovering near a 15-year high, with every month last year seeing more than 75,000 vehicles stolen, according to a new report based on national crime data.
The report, published Wednesday by non-profit industry group National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), suggests that the number of auto thefts nationwide surpassed 1 million in 2022 for the first time since 2008, when 1.05 million vehicles were reported stolen.
Overall, some 1,001,967 cars were stolen across the country last year. That represents a 7 percent jump compared to 2021, according to the NICB analysis of data provided by the FBI’s criminal records database, known as the National Crime Information Center.
Leading the nation in auto theft last year was California, where criminals stole 202,685 cars, followed by Texas (105,015) and Washington (46,939). However, the state that had the most dramatic surge in auto theft was Illinois, which saw a 35 percent increase from 2021, followed by Washington (31 percent) and New York (23 percent).
David Glawe, president and chief executive of the NICB, said one problem is that the current criminal justice system is yielding so little deterrence for car thieves.
“We are seeing vehicle theft numbers that we haven’t seen in nearly 15 years, and there is very little deterrent to stop criminals from committing these acts as they are just property crimes, like shoplifting,” Glawe said in a press release.
“We must reinvest in local law enforcement, provide the necessary resources for prosecution and community policing programs, and implement early intervention programs given the high incidence of juvenile offenders involved in vehicle thefts.”
The nationwide trend shown in the NICB report is reflected most prominently in major cities like New York and Chicago, where leaders have been struggling to navigate between addressing persistent crime problems and the “defund the police” activism.
In New York City, where Mayor Eric Adams’ tough approach on policing has met resistance from progressive activists, shooting and murder numbers have fallen, while other crimes are still trending upward since the pandemic. According to data from the New York Police Department, some 13,475 cars were stolen in the city in 2022—a 32 percent increase compared to 2021 and higher than any year since 2006.
Similarly, in Chicago, there were 21,425 cars reported stolen in 2022, compared to just 8,962 stolen in 2019. The city has recently ousted Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who had vowed to “never yield” to the demands from “defund the police” activists.
In the meantime, the NICB recommends that car owners roll up their car windows, remove their key, and lock their doors when they exit their vehicle. The organization also suggests parking in well-lit areas and those watched by security when possible.
“Park personal vehicles in a garage. If not possible, and vehicles must be parked in a driveway, consider installing motion sensor security lights,” the NICB said. “While lights may not provide complete security, it may make some thieves think twice, making them leave the area and your vehicle untouched.”
