CALIF. CITIES MAKE DUBIOUS TOP 10 IN AUTO-THEFT LIST

Fresno, Calif., Sacramento, Calif., and Stockton, Calif. made a rather unwanted list—the top 10 in a study and list naming the metropolitan areas with the most auto thefts in the nation for 2001—according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The study, which was released by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, placed Fresno third, Sacramento fifth, and Stockton eighth on the list, respectively. First and second place went to Phoenix, Ariz., and Miami, Fla., respectively. According to a NICB spokesman, the list named many cities located near ports or borders—areas heavily populated by organized auto theft rings that smuggle cars across the border. The spokesman also noted that auto theft rates increased 1.2 percent from 1999 to 2000, according to recent FBI statistics, attributing the increase to the reassignment of auto theft investigators after Sept. 11. Another finding from the report was that approximately 30 percent of cars that are stolen nationwide are not recovered.

Other California cities that made the list include Modesto (13th), Oakland (14th), San Diego (15th), Los Angeles and Long Beach (23rd), Riverside and San Bernardino (24th), and San Francisco (36th). California cities dominate the list, indicating a problem with both port and border proximity. A lieutenant from the Fresno police said that the city already has an aggressive auto theft enforcement program, but is open to improvement. He attributed the high theft rate in Fresno to joy-riding criminals and parts being sold for drugs. Approximately 90 percent of the cars stolen in Fresno are recovered.