From: Michelle McKelvey

John Capone

Ivonne Rivera

Erica Wade
 
 

Date: March 27, 2000

Subject: Reducing Motor Vehicle Theft
 
 
 
 

Issue: Motor vehicle theft has been on a steady decline since the 1990's: 1998 the rate decreased 8.4% since 1997.  However, it is still a crime that occurs every 25 seconds throughout the United States. This kind of statistic isn't really very informative.  What is the likelihood of an average person's car being stolen? We need to focus on this decline and see how we can improve our laws and regulations towards offenders of motor vehicle theft to keep this crime on a steady decrease.  Perhaps our laws are good, which is why we have a steady decline?
 
 
 
 

Background: The FBI reported the estimated value of motor vehicles stolen in the U.S. in 1998 was about $7.5 billion. The average value of each motor vehicle stolen in 1998 was $6,030. Law enforcement agencies apprehend only a small percentage of auto thieves (14 percent). Young people account for most of these arrests, 67 percent of all persons arrested for motor vehicle theft were under 25 years old. People under 18 accounted for 36 percent of all motor vehicle arrests.

Graph:  Motor Vehicle Theft:
 
 

Objectives:
1. To reduce the number of motor vehicle thefts.
2. To enforce motor vehicle theft laws more strictly, especially towards juveniles.
3. To provide a wide range of programs throughout communities to fight motor vehicle theft.
4. To have standard guidelines for all motor vehicle manufacturers to follow.
5. Increase public awareness about the seriousness of this crime so they will use better
    judgement when making decisions about their vehicle.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

List of Options:
 
 

• Mandatory alarm systems on all new cars being manufactured.

Con: This would increase the cost of an automobile for the consumer and may also lead to an increase in car jacking.
 
 

• Mandatory curfew laws for juveniles

Con: Not all juveniles are motor vehicle theft offenders and it would be unfair for them to have to be in at a certain time.
 
 

• Recommend to vehicle owners to park in well-lit and good geographic areas.

Con: This could be an inconvenience for most people especially if they live or work in the inner city.
 
 

• Have vehicle owners use visual and audible warning devices that a thief would recognize.

Con: If there were a glitch in any of these devices it would cause problems for the owner.

• Hold town meetings to help combat motor vehicle theft throughout community.

Con: This could lead to the community lashing out at the police force and causing turmoil throughout the community while losing focus on the goal.
 
 

• Introduce more foot patrol and bike patrol officers throughout communities.

Con: Taxes may rise for increasing patrol.
 
 

• Stabilize harsher penalties for motor vehicle theft offenders.

Con: A statewide law would have to be passed to have equal penalties for offenses.Can we get judges and prosecutors to enforce equal penalties without regard to circumstances?  Should we?  Is there evidence the penalties are not strict enough?   It would not just apply to the community or county, but to all parts of state and this would take some time to accomplish.
 
 

• Develop community-based organizations that serve as neighborhood watch.

Con: Getting people involved in such an organization is difficult because not everybody has time to participate in a neighborhood watch.
 
 

• Getting the media involved in letting the community know what is happening.

Con: Sometimes the media tends to exaggerate situations, which may make the situation worse.
 
 

• The community should be notified who the previous offenders are in the area.

Con: Not all one-time offenders are going to repeat their offense and should not lack their right to privacy.

• Let the community have say in the punishment the offender receives.

Con: Revenge may be the only reason for justice and the offenders may be treated too harshly.
 
 

• Create anti-theft groups throughout the states.

Con: Money to fund these groups as well as community participation may be difficult to obtain.
 
 

• Car owners should register with the local police department for theft checks after certain hours.

Con: Stops may inconvenience drivers who are coming home on nights that they are later than usual.
 
 

• Create police unit that concentrates on motor vehicle theft only.

Con: Less cops taking care of more serious crimes.
 
 

• Require that cars be manufactured with Lo-Jack radio equipped car alarm.

Con: This alarm is only activated after  the car is stolen and can only track an area of 25 to 50 square kilometers.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Recommendations: In order to continue the decrease in motor vehicle theft, law enforcement officials, automobile manufacturers, and the public must work at this as a whole. Law enforcement officials to enforce motor vehicle theft laws more strictly. Is lack of strictness really a problem, or do you mean effectively?  The key would seem to be catching a higher proportion of offenders.  Automobile manufacturers to follow rules and guidelines provided by the state, and the public to be more aware of decisions being made when it comes to their automobile. Together we can cut the rate of motor vehicle theft. We have been cutting it every year, so this isn't too optimistic.  It might be more meaningful to say, "further improvements are still possible by....."
 
 

These references look pretty good.

References: Automobile Theft: A "Favored-Group" Delinquency, William Wattenberg and James Balistrieri. CHP Vehicle Theft Training and Awareness Programs, www.chp.ca.gov/html/vehteft.html
Vehicle Theft Declines 34 Percent in Five Years, www.theautochannel.com/cont...press015409.html
Lojack aims to keep your car your car, Tedra T. Williams, www.bhip.com/business/2lojack.htm
Efective Crime Prevention Through Public Awareness:  Auto theft Prevention, www.ci.ftlaud.fl.us/police/ritetrac.html