CAMBRIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT

1997 Annual Crime Report

AUTO THEFT

Defined as the theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle, this offense category includes the theft of automobiles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, motor scooters, and snowmobiles. This definition excludes the taking of a motor vehicle for temporary use by persons having lawful access.

Considered the most serious common larceny, auto theft has been on a steady decline in Cambridge since the mid-1970s. Statistics for auto theft are considered highly reliable because almost all of the thefts are reported.

In 1997, Cambridge experienced 483 incidents of auto theft-443 thefts and 40 attempted thefts. This represents an 11 percent decline from 1996's total. The 1997 auto theft index is the lowest in over 35 years-less than a tenth of what it was in 1974, when we had over 5,000 thefts. Each year, we expect that it has reached the lowest point possible, and each year it surprises us by decreasing even further.

The Governor's Auto Theft Task Force and the Cambridge Police Department's own preventive patrol efforts can be partially credited for this dramatic decrease. Crackdowns on "chop shops" and insurance fraud are also significant factors, as are recent advances in automobile security

.

Geographic Breakdown of Auto Theft

East Cambridge and Cambridgeport traditionally report the highest number of auto thefts. Both experienced increases in 1997, with several patterns identified in each neighborhood. East Cambridge's auto theft problem stems from its high commercial and business traffic-both at the CambridgeSide Galleria and at Cambridge Center. The parking lots around these areas fill during the day and make attractive targets for auto thieves. Consequently, most of the thefts occur between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Cambridgeport's high auto theft rate can be attributed both to its high residential population and to its proximity to the MIT Area. In 1997, MIT Area auto thefts rose almost 80 percent, with almost all of them concentrated on lower Vassar Street-right on the Cambridgeport border. This Vassar Street "hot spot" crossed the Cambridgeport/MIT border and hit streets such as Waverly Street and Sidney Street. Definite patterns emerged in the Spring and Fall. The Cambridge Police Department saturated this area with patrol in October, leading to a decline in the final two months of the year. The area remains a "hot spot," with thieves targeting cars parked overnight and on weekends.

Other "hot spots" appear, quite logically, where large numbers of automobiles are parked for a long period of time. These include the parking lot at the Fresh Pond Apartments on Rindge Avenue (North Cambridge), Harvard Square, Central Square, Porter Square, and the Fresh Pond Mall (Cambridge Highlands).

Top Makes and Models Stolen

*Also in the National Top Ten
+Also in the Massachusetts Top Ten

The makes and models of automobiles stolen have remained fairly consistent over the past several years: Toyotas and Hondas account for about 35 percent of the total number of vehicles stolen. The Honda Accord was the most targeted model, followed by the Toyota Camry, the Toyota Corolla, and the Honda Civic. For the past several years, these models have always been in the top four. The fact that these particular models are stolen more than any other is a function of several factors. First, these cars are some of the most commonly owned models in the nation, making them more widely available. Statistical probability would place them at the top of the theft list. Second, car thieves tend to look for average-cost, commonly-owned, inconspicuous cars. High-priced luxury cars are not stolen very often because they are too easy for someone to spot.

Analysis of theft by model year works the same way. Highest in demand are cars that are eight to nine years old. Thieves looking for transportation steal these cars because they are inconspicuous. Thieves looking to make a profit target these years because parts for these cars are in higher demand. The second peak, with 1994–1997 cars, represents "joyriders," looking for newer models to increase their sense of status, and thieves intending to sell the entire car for profit.

Auto Theft Recoveries

As of this report, 385, or 87 percent, of the 443 automobiles stolen in 1997 have been recovered. Sixty-six percent of the recoveries were made within a day of the original theft; 83 percent were made within four days of the theft. Boston contributed the most (208) recoveries, followed by Cambridge and Somerville.

Most recovered vehicles show damage to one of the doors and to the ignition or steering column. About half of the recovered vehicles have items missing, such as the stereo, a car phone, or other items left in the car. About 15 percent are completely stripped and are often burned.

Arrests were made during only six percent of the recoveries of cars stolen from Cambridge, in all cities and towns. The Cambridge Police Department made 17 arrests for "Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle" in 1997; most of these cars were stolen in other cities and towns. In total, the Cambridge Police Department recovered 192 cars in 1997: 90 stolen in Cambridge and 102 stolen in other towns.

The table below shows the number of vehicles stolen in Cambridge and recovered in each city or town that reported at least three recoveries. For Cambridge and its neighborhoods, the number in parentheses shows how many total vehicles were recovered, including those originally stolen in a city or town other than Cambridge.

15 recoveries were made out of state, including six in New York.

Auto Theft in 1997

See Auto Theft Prevention Tips

Back to the 1997 Annual Report Index

Back to the CPD Home Page