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Auto Theft Drops 1.9% in Ohio, Industry Group Reports"
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Auto theft declined nearly 2% last year in Ohio compared to 2002, the Ohio Insurance Institute reported today.Based on the results of a survey completed by 17 major Ohio city police departments and data from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports, the Ohio Insurance Institute estimates that statewide auto thefts decreased 1.9% in 2003. This decrease follows an up-tick of 1.3% realized in 2002 compared to 2001, which mirrored the national increase of 1.4% for the same period. Prior to 2000, national figures showed an eight-year period of auto theft decreases, according to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports.The Ohio Insurance Institute's findings suggest Cincinnati is where the state's residents have the greatest chance of becoming a victim of auto theft. In 2003 there was one theft for every 52 registered vehicles in the city, a greater chance than its 2002 ratio of one in 59 vehicles. But Cincinnati's auto-theft ratio isn't much worse than Dayton's -- 1 in 62 -- or Cleveland's -- 1 in 63. Youngstown fared relatively well in the study with an auto-theft ratio of 1 per 130 vehicles and a 1.8% increase in the number of auto thefts in 2003 compared to 2002.Warren's ratio was 1 in 152 but the number of auto thefts climbed 14.6% during the study period. Auto theft activity in Ohio's major cities ranged from a decrease of 48.5% in Euclid in 2003, to an increase of 37.7% in Canton. Based on survey results, the institute estimates statewide auto thefts were 41,943 in 2003. The FBI's Uniform Crime Reports shows statewide thefts were 42,767 in 2002 and 42,229 in 2001. "Compared to 2002, eight of the 17 cities evaluated showed some degree of theft increases in 2003," said Daniel J. Kelso, president of the institute. "Canton and Parma both experienced increases of at least 20% during this period." Canton showed a 37.7% increase in 2003, the highest percentage increase in the state. Parma (20%), Warren (14.6%) and Cincinnati (12.4%) ranked second through fourth respectively among cities experiencing the highest auto theft percentage increases. "There are ongoing efforts by car manufacturers, law enforcement and the insurance industry to reduce auto theft," Kelso noted. "Consumers are all too aware of the cost of auto theft and are taking precautionary measures from locking their cars to adding antitheft devices. Many newer makes and models come equipped with antitheft alarm systems and stereo units. Insurers recognize the value of antitheft systems, with some offering auto insurance premium discounts for protective devices." The Consumer Electronics Association estimates that consumers will spend $255 million in 2004 for aftermarket electronic vehicle security devices (such as keyless entry and electronic tracking systems).The FBI reports that the average value per vehicle stolen in 2002 was $6,701, up from the 2001 figure of $6,646. According to the Ohio Insurance Institute's calculations, the value of unrecovered vehicles in 2003 exceeded $103.7 million --down from 2002's tally of $105.7 million. The nation's vehicle recovery rate improved from 62.2% in 2001 to 63.1% in 2002. The Ohio Insurance Institute is a trade association representing the property and casualty segment of the insurance industry. Visit the Ohio Insurance Institute at www.ohioinsurance.org "