Motor vehicle theft: content revised 02/17/06.Definition The Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR (Under Color Removal) A method for reducing the amount of printing ink used. It substitutes black for gray color (equal amounts of cyan, magenta and yellow). Thus black ink is used instead of the three CMY inks. See GCR and dot gain. ) Program defines motor vehicle theft Motor vehicle theft or grand theft auto is a criminal act of theft generally understood to refer to the stealing of automobiles, buses, motorcycles, snowmobiles, trucks, trailers or any other motorized vehicle legally allowed on public roads and highways, including attempted as the theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle. The offense includes the stealing STEALING. This term imports, ex vi termini, nearly the same as larceny; but in common parlance, it does not always import a felony; as, for example, you stole an acre of my land. 2. of automobiles No invention has so transformed the landscape of the United States as the automobile, and no other country has so thoroughly adopted the automobile as its favorite means of transportation. , trucks, buses, motorcycles, snowmobiles, etc. The taking of a motor vehicle for temporary use by persons having lawful Licit; legally warranted or authorized. The terms lawful and legal differ in that the former contemplates the substance of law, whereas the latter alludes to the form of law. A lawful act is authorized, sanctioned, or not forbidden by law. access is excluded from this definition.
Trend
Rate per 100,000
Year Number of offenses inhabitants
2003 1,261,226 433.7
2004 1,237,114 421.3
Percent change -1.9 -2.9
National Volume, Trends, and Rates In 2004, there were an estimated 1,237,114 motor vehicle thefts in the Nation. Two-, 5-, and 10-year trend data showed considerable volatility Volatility 1. A statistical measure of the tendency of a market or security to rise or fall sharply within a period of time. 2. A variable in option pricing formulas that denotes the extent to which the return of the underlying asset will fluctuate between now and the : the number of motor vehicles estimated to have been stolen in 2004 decreased 1.9 percent from the 2003 estimate, increased 6.6 percent from the 2000 estimate, and decreased 16.0 percent from the 1995 estimate. This volatility in trend data was also apparent in the estimations for rates. With 2004 as the base year, the rate of motor vehicle thefts was estimated at 421.3 motor vehicles stolen per 100,000 inhabitants
The game is based loosely on the concepts from SameGame. . Changes at the 2-, 5-, and 10-year points showed that this 2004 rate decreased 2.9 percent from the 2003 estimate, increased 2.2 percent from the 2000 estimate, and decreased 24.8 percent from the 1995 estimate. (See Tables 1 and 1A.) Regional Offense Trends and Rates In order to analyze an·a·lyze v. 1. To examine methodically by separating into parts and studying their interrelations. 2. To separate a chemical substance into its constituent elements to determine their nature or proportions. 3. crime by geographical ge·o·graph·ic also ge·o·graph·i·cal adj. 1. Of or relating to geography. 2. Concerning the topography of a specific region. ge area, the UCR Program divides the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. into four regions: the Northeast “Northeastern” redirects here. For the Boston college, see Northeastern University, Boston. Northeast or north east is the ordinal direction halfway between north and east. It is the opposite of southwest. See boxing the compass. , the Midwest Midwest or Middle West, region of the United States centered on the western Great Lakes and the upper-middle Mississippi valley. It is a somewhat imprecise term that has been applied to the northern section of the land between the Appalachians , the South, and the West. (Appendix appendix, small, worm-shaped blind tube, about 3 in. (7.6 cm) long and 1-4 in. to 1 in. (.64–2.54 cm) thick, projecting from the cecum (part of the large intestine) on the right side of the lower abdominal cavity. III provides a map delineating the regions.) The following paragraphs furnish fur·nish tr.v. fur·nished, fur·nish·ing, fur·nish·es 1. To equip with what is needed, especially to provide furniture for. 2. a regional overview of motor vehicle theft. The Northeast The Northeast Region accounted for an estimated 18.6 percent of the Nation's population in 2004 and 11.6 percent of its motor vehicle thefts. (See Table 3.) An estimated 143,253 motor vehicle thefts occurred in the Northeastern north·east n. 1. Abbr. NE The direction or point on the mariner's compass halfway between due north and due east, or 45° east of due north. 2. An area or region lying in the northeast. 3. states in 2004. This figure represented a 9.7-percent decrease compared with the previous year's estimate, and it was the largest decline among the regions. Estimated at a rate of 262.5 motor vehicle thefts per 100,000 inhabitants, the 2004 figure decreased 9.9 percent from the 2003 rate. (See Table 4.) The Midwest An estimated 22.4 percent of the country's population resided in the Midwestern Mid·west or Middle West A region of the north-central United States around the Great Lakes and the upper Mississippi Valley. It is generally considered to include Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and states in 2004, and 18.1 percent of the Nation's motor vehicle thefts occurred in this region. (See Table 3.) The Midwest had an estimated 224,517 motor vehicle thefts in 2004. This number represented a 4.4-percent decrease in the previous year's volume. The rate, estimated at 341.6 motor vehicles stolen per 100,000 inhabitants, decreased 4.8 percent from the 2003 number. (See Table 4.) The South The Nation's most populous pop·u·lous adj. Containing many people or inhabitants; having a large population. [Middle English, from Latin popul region is the South, where an estimated 36.1 percent of the U.S. population resided in 2004. This region accounted for over one-third (34.1 percent) of the Nation's motor vehicle thefts. (See Table 3.) The estimated 421,414 motor vehicle thefts in the South decreased 2.9 percent from the 2003 estimate. It is estimated that motor vehicles in the South were stolen at a rate of 397.8 offenses per 100,000 population. The 2004 rate decreased 4.2 percent when compared with the 2003 rate. (See Table 4.) The West With approximately ap·prox·i·mate adj. 1. Almost exact or correct: the approximate time of the accident. 2. 23.0 percent of the U.S. population, the Western states accounted for 36.2 percent of all motor vehicle thefts in the Nation in 2004. (See Table 3.) By volume, the largest number of motor vehicle thefts, an estimated 447,930, occurred in this region. The only region to show an increase, the estimated number of motor vehicle thefts went up 3.2 percent from last year's number. Also on the rise from the 2003 number was the rate, estimated at 664.5 offenses per 100,000, an increase of 1.7 percent. (See Table 4.) Community Types The UCR Program aggregates data by three community types: Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), cities outside metropolitan areas, and nonmetropolitan counties. MSAs are areas that include a principal city or urbanized area with at least 50,000 inhabitants and the county that contains the principal city and other adjacent counties that have, as defined by the Office of Management and Budget The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), formerly the Bureau of the Budget, is an agency of the federal government that evaluates, formulates, and coordinates management procedures and program objectives within and among departments and agencies of the Executive Branch. , a high degree of economic and social integration. The vast majority (82.9 percent) of the U.S. population resided in MSAs during 2004, where approximately 93.5 percent of motor vehicle thefts occurred. For 2004, the UCR Program estimated an overall rate of 475.7 motor vehicles stolen per 100,000 MSA (Metropolitan Service Area) An urban area with at least 50,000 people plus surrounding counties. There are 306 MSAs and 428 RSAs (rural service areas) in the U.S. MSAs and RSAs are used to allocate cellular licenses. inhabitants. Cities outside MSAs and nonmetropolitan counties, comprised 6.8 and 10.4 percent of the Nation's population, respectively. The former accounted for 3.2 percent of motor vehicle thefts and the latter 3.3 percent. The Program estimated a rate of 198.0 motor vehicles stolen for every 100,000 persons inhabiting cities outside MSAs and a rate of 132.7 motor vehicles stolen per 100,000 inhabitants of nonmetropolitan counties. (Based on Table 2.) Population Groups: Trends and Rates The national UCR Program aggregates data by various population groups, which include cities, metropolitan counties, and nonmetropolitan counties. A definition of these groups can be found in Appendix III. In cities collectively, the number of motor vehicle thefts decreased 2.9 percent in 2004 compared with the previous year's data. From 2003 to 2004, the number of motor vehicle thefts reported by law enforcement in all city population groups decreased. The Nation's largest cities, those with populations of 250,000 and over, experienced the greatest decline--4.0 percent; cities with populations of 25,000-49,999 experienced the smallest decline--0.7 percent. Within metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties, however, the number showed a slight increase, +0.3 percent and +0.2 percent respectively. (See Table 12.) Among the population groups, in 2004 cities overall had a motor vehicle theft rate of 534.2 per 100,000 inhabitants. The largest cities, those with 250,000 and over in population, experienced the highest rate of motor vehicle thefts with 873.5 thefts per 100,000 inhabitants. Conversely con·verse 1 intr.v. con·versed, con·vers·ing, con·vers·es 1. To engage in a spoken exchange of thoughts, ideas, or feelings; talk. See Synonyms at speak. 2. , the Nation's smallest cities, those with populations under 10,000, had the lowest rate of motor vehicle theft with 217.2 per 100,000 in population. Within the county groups, metropolitan counties had a rate of 304.6 motor vehicles stolen per 100,000 inhabitants and nonmetropolitan counties, a rate of 138.9 per 100,000 persons. (See Table 16.) Offense Analysis Based on law enforcement agencies' reports, the UCR Program estimated the combined value of motor vehicles stolen nationwide in 2004 at approximately $7.6 billion. (Based on Tables 1 and 23.) Automobiles were, by far, the most frequently stolen vehicle type--accounting for 72.8 percent of all vehicles stolen. Trucks and buses accounted for 18.4 percent, and other vehicles accounted for 8.7 percent. (Based on Table 19.) By type of vehicle, automobiles were stolen at a rate of 320.5 cars per 100,000 in population in 2004. Trucks and buses were stolen at a rate of 81.1 vehicles per 100,000 in population, and other types of vehicles were stolen at a rate of 38.4 vehicles per 100,000 people. (See Table 19.) Clearances In the UCR Program, law enforcement may clear offenses either by arrest or by exceptional means, i.e., when elements beyond the control of law enforcement prevent the placing of formal charges against the offender offender n. an accused defendant in a criminal case or one convicted of a crime. (See: defendant, accused) . (Section III provides more information regarding clearances.) In 2004, law enforcement agencies A law enforcement agency (LEA) is a term used to describe any agency which enforces the law. This may be a local or state police, federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). in the United States, collectively, cleared 13.0 percent of motor vehicle theft offenses. Law enforcement in cities cleared 12.0 percent of motor vehicle thefts. Among the Nation's population groups labeled city, law enforcement in cities with populations of fewer than 10,000 inhabitants cleared the largest proportion of motor vehicle thefts (24.6 percent) reported in their jurisdictions. Law enforcement in the Nation's largest cities, those with 250,000 and over in population, cleared the smallest proportion of motor vehicle thefts (9.4 percent) reported to them. Law enforcement agencies in metropolitan counties cleared 15.4 percent of motor vehicle thefts in their jurisdictions, and nonmetropolitan counties cleared 26.0 percent of motor vehicle thefts. (Table 25.) Regionally, law enforcement agencies in the South cleared the highest percentage of motor vehicle thefts (15.0 percent, collectively) within their jurisdictions. Law enforcement agencies in the Northeast cleared 14.7 percent; agencies in the Midwest, 14.0 percent; and agencies in the West, 10.2 percent of motor vehicle thefts. (See Table 26.) Clearances and Juveniles Before analyzing data involving clearances and juveniles, the data user should consider two important pieces of information. First, when an offender under the age of 18 is cited to appear before juvenile juvenile /ju·ve·nile/ (ju´vin-il) 1. pertaining to youth or childhood. 2. a youth or child; a young animal. 3. a cell or organism intermediate between immature and mature forms. authorities, the UCR Program considers the offense to be cleared by arrest, even though a physical arrest may not have occurred. Second, clearances involving both adult and juvenile offenders are classified as adult clearances. For more information on clearances, see Section III, Offenses Cleared. Nationwide, 16.4 percent of all clearances of motor vehicle thefts in 2004 involved juveniles only. In cities collectively, 16.7 percent of all clearances of motor vehicle thefts involved only persons under 18 years of age. Within the city population groups, law enforcement agencies in cities with populations of 50,000 to 99,999 reported the highest percentage of clearances (17.5 percent) for motor vehicle thefts that involved only juveniles. The lowest percentage of clearances for motor vehicle thefts involving juveniles (15.5 percent) was reported by law enforcement in both cities with 100,000 to 249,999 in population and in the Nation's smallest cities, those with under 10,000 inhabitants. Law enforcement agencies in metropolitan counties reported that 15.2 percent of motor vehicle theft clearances within their jurisdictions involved juveniles only. Agencies in nonmetropolitan counties reported that juveniles only comprised 16.2 percent of their total clearances for motor vehicle theft. (See Table 28.)
Table 2.28
Motor Vehicle Theft
Percent Distribution by Month, 2000-2004
Month 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
January 8.1 8.1 8.6 8.3 8.6
February 7.4 6.9 7.2 7.0 7.5
March 8.0 7.7 8.0 8.0 8.2
April 7.6 7.6 7.8 8.1 7.9
May 8.2 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3
June 8.3 8.2 8.1 8.2 8.4
July 8.9 9.0 9.0 8.8 8.7
August 9.1 8.9 8.8 8.8 8.7
September 8.5 8.5 8.6 8.6 8.2
October 8.7 9.3 8.8 8.8 8.7
November 8.5 8.9 8.4 8.3 8.4
December 8.6 9.0 8.6 8.8 8.5
Table 2.29
Motor Vehicle Theft
Percent Distribution by Region, 2004
Trucks and Other
Region Total (1) Autos buses vehicles
Total 100.0 72.8 18.4 8.7
Northeast 100.0 88.3 5.3 6.5
Midwest 100.0 76.2 15.0 8.8
South 100.0 67.2 21.2 11.5
West 100.0 72.3 20.8 6.9
(1) Because of rounding, the percentages may not add
to 100.0.
Figure 2.15
Motor Vehicle Theft
Percent Change from 2000
Volume Rate per 100,000
inhabitants
2000 0 0
2001 5.9 4.4
2002 7.5 5.0
2003 8.7 5.2
2004 6.6 2.2
Note: Table made from line graph.
Figure 2.16
Regional Crime Rates 2004
Violent and Property Crimes per 100,000 Inhabitants
property crime violent crime
Northeast 2,358.9 390.7
Midwest 3,281.0 391.1
South 4,022.2 540.6
West 3,891.2 480.7
Note: Table made from bar graph.
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