County numbers eclipse 15 percent statewide drop in ’09
The vehicle theft rate in San Benito County fell 23 percent
between 2008 and 2009, eclipsing the 15 percent statewide drop last
year, according to the California Highway Patrol.
In 2009, 87 thefts were reported locally, compared with 113 the
year before. The number of thefts in the state fell from just under
200,000 in 2008 to 169,058 last year.
County numbers eclipse 15 percent statewide drop in ’09
The vehicle theft rate in San Benito County fell 23 percent between 2008 and 2009, eclipsing the 15 percent statewide drop last year, according to the California Highway Patrol.
In 2009, 87 thefts were reported locally, compared with 113 the year before. The number of thefts in the state fell from just under 200,000 in 2008 to 169,058 last year.
The CHP credits enforcement, education and technology with the falling numbers, which represented the largest decrease in decades in number of vehicle thefts in California, according to a news release.
“Vehicle theft prevention efforts by law enforcement agencies and the public are paying off,” Joe Farrow, California Highway Patrol commissioner, said in a written statement. “Since 2005, California has realized a 35 percent reduction in stolen vehicles.”
Of the vehicles reported stolen last year, more than 88 percent were recovered, officials said, but the economic loss to Californians as a result of vehicle theft continues to exceed $1 billion.
“Even with the decrease, on average, a vehicle is stolen every three minutes in California,” Farrow said.
In San Benito County, 79 percent of stolen vehicles were recovered in 2009, compared with 73 percent the year before.
Southern California was the hot spot for vehicle theft, according to the CHP. Approximately 53.4 percent of all thefts in 2009 occurred in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties.
The 1991 Honda Accord was the vehicle of choice among car thieves, with 3,253 stolen statewide last year.
The decline in the number of vehicle thefts was attributed to law enforcement efforts, including strategic deployment of bait cars, license plate recognition systems, joint task force operations, vehicle theft training and district attorney cooperation.
Officials encourage the public to protect their vehicles by parking in secure or highly visible locations, locking vehicle doors, using alarm systems and never leaving a vehicle running unattended. People also are urged to report suspicious activity to law enforcement agencies.
Pinnacle wire services contributed to this report.
