Car thefts have surged in the United States, with a notable trend of Americans leaving their vehicles running and unlocked, a practice known as 'puffing.' This behavior, which is illegal in over 30 states and the District of Columbia, can result in fines up to $5,000. In 2023, the number of stolen vehicles in the U.S. reached 1,020,729, marking a 1% increase from the previous year. Colorado has emerged as the state with the highest auto theft rate, largely attributed to the puffing phenomenon. ABC News correspondent Giovanni Benitez demonstrated that cars can be stolen even when the key fob is outside the vehicle, highlighting a significant security concern. In 2021, 11% of stolen vehicles had their keys or fobs left inside.
Meanwhile, in Canada, car thefts have escalated into what officials are calling a 'national crisis.' Stolen vehicles are often shipped overseas through the Port of Montreal, driven by organized crime networks that have capitalized on the high demand for vehicles following the pandemic. In 2023, car thefts linked to these groups increased by 62% compared to the previous year, with insurers paying out Can$1.5 billion in claims for stolen vehicles, a staggering 254% increase since 2018. The Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has pledged to implement stricter penalties for car thieves and make the sale and use of key hacking devices illegal.
In British Columbia, the theft of catalytic converters has also seen a significant rise. The province has initiated a public survey to gather input on potential actions to combat these thefts, which have resulted in approximately $8.2 million in losses in the first seven months of 2023. The survey will explore measures such as enhancing police reporting systems and requiring identification numbers to be carved into catalytic converters. Regulatory changes made in 2022 already classify these parts as regulated metal, mandating that metal dealers report their purchases to the police. The consultation period for the survey will remain open until March 14th, aiming to develop further solutions to this growing issue [d5139e3a] [bc6acd55] [38c54cc0].