Washington vehicle thefts on track for 1.6x increase from 2021 to 2022
WEST RICHLAND, Wash. — Have you noticed more reports of cars being stolen in your area? This isn’t just in your head—it’s a reality that vehicle owners across Washington state have been faced with at an alarming rate in 2022.
According to a social media alert from the West Richland Police Department, local law enforcement has observed a dramatic rise in vehicle thefts from last year to this year.
New data, which was credited to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, suggests Washington is on track for 50,000 vehicles reported stolen in 2022. West Richland police say 31,032 vehicles were stolen out of the state in 2021, marking a 1.6x increase in projected thefts from one year to the next.
In their post, WRPD officials offered the following tips to prevent your vehicle from being stolen:
- Always lock your car doors and close the windows
- Park your car in a well-lit area, such as under street lights or in a well-lit parking lot.
- Don’t leave valuables in your car, especially if they are visible through the windows.
- Install systems that will help deter thieves, such as alarms or a vehicle immobilizer system.
If your car has been stolen, don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement so they can launch an investigation. Not every car that is stolen gets recovered, but contacting police and putting the community on notice could certainly result in the retrieval of your vehicle.
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