Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a significant victory in the fight against auto theft, with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) investigators recovering 286 stolen vehicles valued at nearly $8.6 million in 2023. This impressive haul also included an additional $152,000 worth of stolen auto parts, showcasing the effectiveness of the State’s intensified efforts to combat the escalating issue of vehicle theft. The recovery figures represent a substantial increase, with vehicle recoveries up 19 percent from the $7.3 million in 2022 and a striking 67 percent increase compared to the $5.2 million recovered in 2021.
“The safety of New Yorkers remains my paramount concern,” Governor Hochul stated. “The Comprehensive Auto-Theft Reduction Strategy I initiated is designed to provide robust support to our law enforcement agencies and safeguard New Yorkers from the scourge of theft, and these results clearly demonstrate that our investments are yielding significant positive outcomes.”
Beyond the remarkable number of vehicles recovered, DMV investigators also successfully retrieved 157 stolen auto parts. This figure is nearly double the number of parts recovered in the preceding year, highlighting the growing sophistication and reach of the state’s investigative capabilities in addressing all facets of auto theft, including the illicit trade in car components.
Vehicle Recoveries Across New York Regions
| Region | Vehicles Recovered |
|---|---|
| Capital Region | 16 |
| Finger Lakes | 17 |
| Mid-Hudson | 25 |
| New York City | 142 |
| Central NY | 12 |
| Long Island | 42 |
| Mohawk Valley | 3 |
| Western NY | 29 |
| Total | 286 |
Recognizing the alarming surge in vehicle thefts both within New York State and across the nation, Governor Hochul spearheaded the implementation of a comprehensive five-point plan known as the Comprehensive Auto-Theft Reduction Strategy (CARS). This multifaceted initiative is strategically designed to tackle auto theft from various angles, ensuring a robust and effective response.
Key components of the CARS campaign include:
- Significant Financial Investment: A substantial allocation of $5 million is dedicated to prevention programs specifically targeting teenagers and young adults in the regions most severely impacted by auto theft across the State.
- Enhanced Law Enforcement: The New York State Police have significantly amplified their enforcement activities in high-theft zones. Furthermore, district attorneys are set to receive federal assistance to bolster the prosecution of the increasing number of auto theft cases.
- Public Awareness and Education: New York State has launched a dedicated website as part of a comprehensive public awareness campaign. This online resource is designed to equip New Yorkers with valuable resources and educational materials, empowering them to take proactive steps to prevent auto theft. The website can be accessed at: www.governor.ny.gov/programs/taking-action-against-car-theft
- Direct Communication with Vehicle Owners: In a proactive move, the Governor and the New York State DMV jointly sent letters to all New Yorkers owning Kia or Hyundai vehicles. These letters informed them about the heightened risk of theft specific to their vehicle makes and provided guidance on utilizing freely available tools to enhance their car’s security and deter theft attempts.
- Collaboration with Auto Dealers: The Governor also reached out to regional Auto Dealers Associations by sending letters alerting them to the campaign and seeking their partnership in disseminating information and supporting theft prevention efforts.
DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder commented, “In response to the concerning rise in motor vehicle thefts, our Division of Field Investigations has redoubled its efforts to safeguard consumers and facilitate the recovery of their stolen property. Governor Hochul’s comprehensive and well-structured plan to address car thefts in New York is demonstrably making a tangible difference, and the DMV is proud to play a vital role in tackling this pervasive issue within our communities.”
To further support Governor Hochul’s commitment to protecting New Yorkers, the DMV collaborated with Kia and Hyundai to promote free repair clinics for owners of affected vehicles. These clinics, hosted by the auto manufacturers in Rochester, a city experiencing a high incidence of auto thefts, offered vehicle owners the opportunity to receive crucial software updates designed to fortify their cars against theft. The State has also actively supported nationwide outreach initiatives to Kia and Hyundai owners concerning the significant surge in thefts targeting these makes and has promoted auto theft prevention strategies disseminated by the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado stated, “Governor Hochul’s targeted and multifaceted strategy to bolster public safety effectively addresses the underlying causes of crime and strategically leverages technology and evidence-based practices to drive down crime rates. This comprehensive approach is yielding positive results, and I commend our dedicated local and state partners for the substantial progress they have achieved in tackling vehicle thefts across the state.”
New York State Police Acting Superintendent Dominick L. Chiumento remarked, “We commend Governor Hochul for her unwavering support in providing essential resources to combat this serious issue. Through focused, intelligence-driven enforcement operations and the strategic deployment of innovative technologies, we are successfully apprehending these criminals. Working in close collaboration with our law enforcement and agency partners, we are collectively reducing the incidence of vehicle thefts and dismantling the criminal networks behind these auto theft rings.”
New Yorkers are encouraged to report any stolen vehicle to the State Police or their local law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, comprehensive information pertaining to stolen and recovered vehicles, including guidance on actions to take if vehicle license plates are stolen, is readily available on the DMV website.
The Impact of CARS
State and local data analysis revealed that motor vehicle theft was the sole crime category exhibiting an increase in 2023. In New York City, motor vehicle thefts surged by 15 percent year-over-year and a staggering 191 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels. Across the rest of New York State, motor vehicle thefts increased by 67 percent year-over-year in 2023 and 188 percent relative to the pre-pandemic baseline. Outside of New York City, Monroe and Erie counties were the most severely affected areas in the State, accounting for approximately two-thirds of all motor vehicle thefts. Notably, roughly 50 percent of all motor vehicle thefts were concentrated in the cities of Rochester and Buffalo.
However, since the implementation of CARS in September 2023, significant progress has been made. Motor vehicle thefts have plummeted by 50 percent in Rochester and 45 percent in Buffalo when compared to the preceding four-month period. State data indicates similar encouraging reductions in Monroe and Erie counties. New York State remains committed to diligently monitoring the ongoing progress of this initiative and providing all necessary resources to effectively deter and prosecute automotive theft, ensuring safer communities for all New Yorkers.
