America's troubling auto theft trend, which first began to emerge during the pandemic, as the Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ) reported vehicle thefts were up 33.5% during the first half of 2023 compared with the same period the year prior. The first six months of this year saw more than 23,974 vehicle thefts. According to CCJ, the number of thefts during 2023's first half is 104.3% compared with the number of auto thefts in the first half of 2019. Looking by month, May saw the biggest increase in auto thefts, up 43% compared with the year prior. However, every month this year has seen the auto theft rate increase near 30% or higher. The above slideshow reveals the U.S. cities that have seen the biggest increase in auto thefts during the first half of 2023, according to CCJ data. "Motor vehicle theft is a crime that costs Americans more than $8 billion per year," Ann Carlson, acting administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), said in a release. "Fortunately, drivers can take precautions to reduce the risk of someone stealing their car." As part of its National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month campaign, which runs through July, the NHTSA recommends the following steps to help deter car theft: |

• Park in well-lit areas.
• Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.
• Put away your valuables.
• Do not leave your keys in your vehicle.
• Do not leave the area while your vehicle is running.
• Remember to lock your vehicle every time you walk away to prevent vehicle theft.

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