The theft of a Kentucky legislator’s vehicle following an event in Lexington on Monday evening is a stark reminder of the nation’s growing vehicle theft problem.
Kentucky State Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson (D), who represents parts of Fayette and Scott counties, took to social media late Monday night to alert the public about the theft of her Chevy Tahoe stolen from a parking lot that evening following a function at Lexington Green. In her public social media post, Rep. Stevenson noted that her license plate identified her vehicle as belonging to a state representative.
An increase in vehicle thefts continues to be a problem across the country–and it is problem that tends to be worse this time of year. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the summer months, and August in particular, are the hottest months for stolen vehicles.
“We know there is always a spike in stolen vehicles at this time of year, and given the upward trend in auto thefts we have seen this year so far, we could find that 2022 closes out worse than usual in terms of auto theft,” says Lori Weaver Hawkins, public affairs manager, AAA Blue Grass. “Monday night’s theft of Rep. Stevenson’s vehicle is a timely reminder to all vehicle owners to take every precaution to deter thieves and protect what is likely one of their most significant investments.”
According to the NICB, the number of stolen vehicles nationwide jumped almost 20% in the two-year period from 2019 through 2021. And, if the number of car thefts in 2022 to-date is any indication, there will be nearly 1 million vehicles reported stolen by year’s end.
In addition to stealing unattended vehicles left running or with the key in the vehicle, thieves are increasingly using technology to steal cars. They may begin by bumping a vehicle to determine if there is an alarm or if an alarm would draw attention.
According to the Lexington Police Department, there have been 661 automobile thefts in the city alone from Jan. 1 through June 30 of this year,
In 2020, there were about 11,500 vehicles stolen across the Commonwealth of Kentucky, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Kentucky ranked within the top half of the nation in terms of number of vehicle thefts in 2020.
AAA offers the following tips for protecting your vehicle against theft:
- Never leave your keys in the vehicle. The ‘keyless’ feature is not only convenient for the car owner, it’s convenient for the thief who can steal your car with the touch of a button.
- Never leave a running vehicle unattended. You may only be distracted for a short time, or even just loading the back of your vehicle, but if you leave the engine running, a thief may drive off with your car.
- Lock your car, whether parked or driving. Even without the keys, thieves are more likely to steal a car left unlocked. Locking your car while driving helps prevent car jackings. Thieves look for the path of least resistance.
- Park your vehicle in a well-lit area. Whether at home, at the mall or on the road, always try to park in an area where suspicious activity would be most noticeable. You not only improve vehicle safety, but personal safety as well.
- Keep your valuables out of sight. Never leave anything in your vehicle that might tempt a break-in.
- Be especially cautious as night. Thieves prefer to work under the cloak of darkness.
- Do not resist carjackers. As expensive and inconvenient as it is, replacing your car is nothing compared to losing your life or becoming seriously injured.
- Make it costly and inconvenient for would-be thieves. Get your vehicle identification number (VIN) etched into every window on your vehicle. It will deter thieves who will not want the expense of replacing all windows.
