NCJ Number
58373
Date Published
1978
Length
19 pages
Annotation
SOLUTIONS TO THE CRITICAL PROBLEM OF AUTO THEFT IN NEW YORK STATE ARE OFFERED AND REASONS FOR THE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN AUTO THEFT RATES ARE EXPLAINED.
Abstract
WHILE THE NATIONAL AUTO THEFT RATES DECLINED IN 1976 BY 4 PERCENT, THE NEW YORK STATE TOTAL INCREASED 14 PERCENT, WITH NEW YORK CITY ACCOUNTING FOR 72 PERCENT OF THE THEFTS. FRAUDULENT AUTO THEFT INSURANCE CLAIMS ARE ALSO A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE OVERALL STATEWIDE CRISIS. WHILE NEW YORK CITY POLICE OFFICIALS ESTIMATE THAT 55 PERCENT OF THE AUTOS STOLEN IN THE CITY CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DESIRE TO OBTAIN PARTS FOR RESALE, THEY ALSO ESTIMATE THAT ALMOST 24 PERCENT OF THE REPORTED THEFTS WERE ACTUALLY FRAUDULENT. THE NEW YORK AREA IS A TARGET FOR PROFESSIONAL AUTO THIEVES BECAUSE AN ABUNDANT SUPPLY OF LATE MODEL CARS IS AVAILABLE, THE HIGH DEMAND FOR CRASH AND REPLACEMENT PARTS HAS MADE A LUCRATIVE MARKET FOR USED PARTS, A SOPHISTICATED STOLEN CAR DISPOSAL INDUSTRY EXISTS, EXPORT TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES IS RELATIVELY EASY, AND NO STANDARDIZED SYSTEM EXISTS FOR TRACKING STOLEN USABLE CAR PARTS SOLD TO OTHER BUSINESSES. SOLUTIONS TO THESE PROBLEMS INCLUDE LICENSING PERSONS AND BUSINESSES ENGAGED IN THE SALE, DISMANTLING, REBUILDING, OR TOWING OF MOTOR VEHICLES; ENCOURAGING AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS TO PLACE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS ON THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, FRONT END ASSEMBLY, TAIL CLIP, AND DOORS; INCREASING PENALTIES FOR MAKING FALSE AUTO-THEFT CLAIMS; SEEKING ESTABLISHMENT OF A TASK FORCE OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS TO ATTACK THE PROBLEM OF STOLEN VEHICLES TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES; AND FINALLY CREATING AN INTERSTATE COMPACT ON STOLEN MOTOR VEHICLES SO THAT UNIFORM VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION PROCEDURES CAN BE ESTABLISHED. TABLES ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--STD)