Motor Vehicle Theft Rates per 100,000 for 2011

[Garandman]

Just selected the states that interested me. New England as a region is extremely low. Source


DC 721
CA 389.6
MD 275.7
RI 217.5
FL 207.9
NJ 197.4
CT 187.4
NC 176.4
MA 163.7
PA 132.2
VA 120.1
NY 99.2
ME 81.2
VT 79.7
NH 73.9

[RandyO]

and southern New England's rates are more than double the rates in northern New England

[gadget]

and southern New England's rates are more than double the rates in northern New England

do you think that has a lot to do with population density?

[scottieducati]

Semi-related, but probably more due to the fact that MA and RI have higher % of population below the poverty level (12-13% respectively, vs. ~8-9% for NH, VT and ME. Desperate folks will do things for quick money.

[Awesome]

We could solve this problem entirely by restricting fuel tank sizes.

[gixxer72]

Maine was at 12.8% as of 2011....maybe our vehicles are not as appealing to thieves?

Or maybe more rednecks with guns deter theft..

[Garandman]

Semi-related, but probably more due to the fact that MA and RI have higher % of population below the poverty level (12-13% respectively, vs. ~8-9% for NH, VT and ME. Desperate folks will do things for quick money.

Or, not.

2007 data:

State / Rate / % living below poverty line
RI 217.5 - 12.0
CT 187.4 - 7.9
MA 163.7 - 9.9
NY 99.2 - 13.7
ME 81.2 - 12.0
VT 79.7 - 10.1
NH 73.9 - 7.1

[RandyO]

Semi-related, but probably more due to the fact that MA and RI have higher % of population below the poverty level (12-13% respectively, vs. ~8-9% for NH, VT and ME. Desperate folks will do things for quick money.

you could prolly use statistics to tie the higher incidence of theft to any number of demographic groups, minorities, those who feel entitled

Maine was at 12.8% as of 2011....maybe our vehicles are not as appealing to thieves?

Or maybe more rednecks with guns deter theft..

I think there are not as many thieves among us, its not too far a stretch to say that guns have something to do with that

[scottieducati]

you could prolly use statistics to tie the higher incidence of theft to any number of demographic groups, minorities, those who feel entitled

I think there are not as many thieves among us, its not too far a stretch to say that guns have something to do with that

Pretty sure there's overwhelming evidence that non-white-collar crimes are higher in areas with higher poverty rates. When there are no viable alternatives, crime pays.... But of course there are many demographic implications that tie in too.

[SteveM]

Correlation is not causation

States are too big and internally diverse.

Standard metropolitan statistical area may be better.

Heck, just try to compare property crimes per 100k pop to gun ownership per 100k for the 300 + mass cities and towns and you can draw all kinds on false conclusions.

Yes, the use of the word "draw" was a horrible pun

[RandyO]

Standard metropolitan statistical area may be better.

for accuracy or spin ?

I don't trust any statistics much anymore, they promote and perpetuate falsehood, I trust my observation

crime is a profession that the only way to get fired is to get caught, and you get setup with 3 squares and a bed for a few years, then they let you go back in business again

just think of how criminals support the economy, they spend their ill gotten gains. for all practical purposes, police/leo's owe their lively hood to criminals, without them, they wouldn't have a job

[Garandman]

Correlation is not causation

States are too big and internally diverse.

Standard metropolitan statistical area may be better./

Almost all of CT, RI, MA, and NH are considered "Metropolitan areas."
In ME and VT, the rates for metro areas, cities outside metro areas, and non-metro areas are almost identical.

In NY, the non-metro areas are substantially higher than the metro areas.

the Northeast in general and New England in particular seem to have relatively low rates compared to most of the rest of the country.

[SteveM]

Spin

[carsick]

the Northeast in general and New England in particular seem to have relatively low rates compared to most of the rest of the country.

It's hard to steal a car with a broken frame. Road salt as crime deterrent. Plus you gotta scrape the windshield before fleeing.

[tsorfas]

even within the same state you would find huge differences. I would assume that theft rates would be higher in Boston and Western MA than the rest of the state.
just like CT is probably Hartford.

[warsaw1776]

so i move from California where i never had a single car or bike stolen since i started driving ten years ago and the rate is: CA 389.6
and move to mass where the rate is: MA 163.7 and my bike is stolen in three weeks. awesome.

at least it makes me feel a little better about getting a another bike.

[nhbubba]

Warsaw, I think your situation is exceptionally fucked up. I'd like to believe that was not normal.

[yucatan]

I'm a little surprised by RI. eek

[aldend123]

I'm a little surprised by RI. eek

It's motor vehicles, not just bikes. But yes, they are all stolen.

[warsaw1776]

I'd like to believe that was not normal.

I sure hope so.

[Garandman]

even within the same state you would find huge differences. I would assume that theft rates would be higher in Boston and Western MA than the rest of the state.
just like CT is probably Hartford.

if you follow the link, they break the data down by state. Some states are higher in cities, and some are not.

Most of the people at work that have had stuff stolen from their cars live in NH. Because "That doesn't happen here."

CN Thieves suck.

[RandyO]

Most of the people at work that have had stuff stolen from their cars live in NH. Because "That doesn't happen here."

my brother (lives in VT) had his car stolen when he drove down to Boston for a Red Sox game

[Garandman]

my brother (lives in VT) had his car stolen when he drove down to Boston for a Red Sox game

Tell him to go to Boston Cannons lacrosse games, instead, $10 to park on the grass at Harvard Stadium up to four hours before game time.

Most of the people who drive down to Boston for Red Sox games and get them "stolen" learn once they get to the PD that it was towed because of a violation of one of the 50 billion parking laws. The tow companies get $90 of the $135 fee so they are very aggressive. Most of the tow lots are pretty dodgy at night as well. Be especially careful about parking in private lots: the business often has a "fee sharing" deal with the tow companies.

I suggest that the poor misguided folks who still watch baseball park at an outlying T station and take the subway over. The subway is crowded at game time but entertaining as hell. The traffic is nuts nearby and a lot of the parking in the area on game night is $40 - a rip when it's $2 to $15 everywhere else in the city at night.

I used to take my GF to games on my old R65 when the bleacher seats were a buck and I could park in-between two car spaces.

[nhbubba]

... Bunch of words that basically explain how risky, expensive, and sucky it is to park anywhere near Boston. ...

Trying to lay off the Boston/MA bashing for a while. But this, I can't resist.

[RandyO]

Tell him to go to Boston Cannons lacrosse games, instead, $10 to park on the grass at Harvard Stadium up to four hours before game time.

Most of the people who drive down to Boston for Red Sox games and get them "stolen" learn once they get to the PD that it was towed because of a violation of one of the 50 billion parking laws

naw, my brothers was stolen from the hotel parking, not downtown, it was recovered but idiot towing/storage company left sunroof open, it rained several times before insurance settled, I can't believe they didn't total it, they covered all new interior, carpet, seats, headliner, and repaint 1 fender

my brother sold it, never drove it again

I agree good advice about parking and taking T, that has been my method of visiting Boston for years, I also do the same when I go to Montreal on occasion, I really try to stay away from big cities