GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — After a surge in car thefts following the COVID-19 pandemic, data suggests that things may soon be returning to normal- mid-year data for the city of Grand Rapids shows an almost 40% decline in stolen vehicles.
Over a million vehicles were stolen in 2023, equating to one being stolen every 31 seconds in the U.S. according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In the published data for 2022, Michigan saw a large number of stolen vehicles as well. for the year, the state saw 25,355 reports of stolen cars, a 22% increase from the year prior.
Locally, in West Michigan's largest city, the trend remains. Stolen vehicle reports reached 1,402 in 2022, dropping down to 1,265 for all of 2023, both numbers noticeably higher than the 907 stolen vehicles in 2021.
Mid-year trends remain the same: 490 in 2021, 518 in 2022 and 617 in 2023.
This year, data suggests a slowing down of the upward trend. From Jan. to July, Grand Rapids has only seen 385 reports of stolen vehicles- down 37.6% from 2023.
Citywide, vehicle theft appears to be falling. According to data from the Grand Rapids Police Department, all segments of the city have seen a decrease:
- Central Grand Rapids down 22.7%
- North Grand Rapids down 25%
- East Grand Rapids down 47.1%
- South Grand Rapids down 57.3%
- West Grand Rapids down 12.7%
Chris Baldwin, the executive director of the Automobile Theft Prevention Authority, a subsect of Michigan State Police, said trends post-pandemic signaled some warning signs.
"In Michigan, in 2022 we had just over 27,000 reported auto thefts. And in calendar year 2023 unofficially, it's about just over 28,500 auto thefts, which was an increase of 4.5% across the state," Baldwin said. "We wanted to get the word out that people should be looking at what they can do to prevent themselves from becoming a victim."
Statewide data this year, Baldwin said, is hinting at a more positive outcome.
"We're actually down almost 24% and reported auto customers across the state," Baldwin said. "It shows that people are aware. They're more safe. It shows that if people are caught, perhaps prosecutors are looking at it differently and not just using it or looking at it as a property crime, and maybe seeing that a lot of these cases are involved in money-making schemes and criminal enterprises."
The Kent County Sheriff's Office said their department deals with stolen cars very frequently- often being tied to other crimes committed in the area.
"Usually, our crime sprees start with a stolen car, and then they lead into further crime," Kailey Gilbert, public information officer with the Sheriff's Office, said. "It impacts all of our citizens on different levels. So it's a nuisance, and it's something we definitely do our best to investigate and hold the people accountable."
Even though the numbers are down, Gilbert said thefts remain a problem for many across Kent County.
"It's a main priority of the sheriff's office to hone in on these stolen vehicles, whether they're stolen in our area or we know they're stolen from other areas, where we try to keep a look out the best we can," Gilbert said. "We take thorough reports, so that way the detective bureau and they get it, they can easily look for the vehicle."
Both Gilbert and Baldwin said there are things THE everyday person can do to protect themselves from car thieves.
"Don't leave your keys in the vehicle," Gilbert said. "Make sure your keys are hung up on a key ring in your house or however you store them, just make sure your keys are out of your vehicle."
Many of the cases both departments face start with an unlocked car, Gilbert and Baldwin said, criminals will often walk up to a car, try the handle and drive away if unlocked.
"Park and well-lit areas or in a garage. If you can keep your valuables stored out of sight, if you leave them in your car, or not leave valuables in your car at all, consider keeping up to date with your manufacturer's safety and diagnostic system that could track your car in case something happens," Baldwin said. "Don't leave your key fob or the key fob of a family member or relative's car that you live with in your vehicle."
"That way, if your vehicle becomes unlocked for some reason, the thieves at trek car doors, maybe at night, might be able to that vehicle and steal the vehicle next to it," Baldwin added.
Baldwin said these steps do not take a lot of time and effort, but put a person in a much better position to guard against potential thieves.
"You as a victim, were out of a means of transportation to get to work, to get to, you know, medical appointments, to get your family around, to run necessary errands," Baldwin said. "We want to care about these numbers so that people can not become a victim and keep their way of life going."