Auto theft is driving insurance rates higher — not just for consumers but auto dealers as well. The thefts are impacting not only auto dealers in Michigan but dealerships nationwide as well, an issue National Automobile Dealers of Metro Detroit and the Michigan Auto Dealers Association are facing head on.
We see the seriousness of auto theft in the tragic death of Oakland County Deputy Bradley Reckling. He was pursuing a stolen car.
A few months ago, NAIAS Security had a meeting between law enforcement and the auto dealers. Law enforcement included the specialized auto theft units.
What was discussed was the same model that drug gangs were using to skirt the harshness of the law. Using young people ages 11 to 16 to steal the cars was the same model drug dealers used to move and sell drugs. The courts will not treat a juvenile with the same punishment as an adult caught doing the same act, so giving a juvenile $500 is worth the risk. The juvenile also will not turn on his or her benefactor because they know the theft is viewed as a property crime and is a low priority for prosecution and bond.
A second meeting was convened with the prosecutors’ offices from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. The rising number of thefts was stressed to the prosecutors and were asked to prioritize bonds and sentencing of such property crimes.
Also impacting the thefts was a “pro pad” available for about $6,000 on the dark web that allows a juvenile to electronically open vehicles on a dealers’ lot.
There are efforts in the Legislature to make it a crime to obtain such a device on the dark web, and there is now a task force being but together by the National Automobile Dealers of Metro Detroit and Michigan Auto Dealers to examine individual dealerships with recommendations for prevention for the auto theft.
If auto theft comes down, so will insurance rates and costs. Auto theft is a large problem for consumers and dealerships. These organizations are taking the issue seriously as should the public and the judicial system.
Robert Ficano
former Wayne County Sheriff and Executive
Adjunct professor,
Wayne County Community College
Carl Berry
Former Plymouth Twp. police chief
Don Morris
NAIAS Services
