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A Look at Car Thefts in Michigan


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Thefts are Down 69 Percent from Their Peak

DES PLAINES, IL -- Dec. 16, 2014: The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) today released a historic look at vehicle theft in Michigan. From its peak auto theft year in 1984 when 78,578 vehicles were stolen, Michigan has experienced a significant decline ending 2013 with 24,567 thefts. That's a reduction of 69 percent since 1984.

Michigan has experienced a number of increases and declines in annual vehicle thefts over the years, but has been on an overall downward trend since 1984. It began a significant downward slide in 2006 and that continued through 2013. Like other states, Michigan authorities employed some innovative law enforcement programs; among them the use of bait cars and license plate readers. In short, technology has had a huge positive impact.

Not only is law enforcement exploiting technology, but auto manufacturers have been outfitting vehicles with more and more theft prevention products—from smart keys to immobilizers to tracking systems. So vehicles today are much harder to steal and that is good news for everyone who owns a vehicle.

Even though auto theft is affecting fewer people these days, if you are one of its unfortunate victims, it can be a real hassle recovering from the loss. That is why NICB consistently reminds people to take precautions against vehicle theft and to follow its "layers of protection."