Auto Theft on the Rise in Austin
Unfortunately, vehicle thefts have been on the rise in Austin, Texas lately. This concerning trend began after the defunding of the city’s police department in 2020, and the numbers are only getting higher. In October 2023 alone, there were 575 car thefts, marking a 43% increase from the previous year. The overall data also shows a 58% increase in vehicle thefts compared to 2020 when the police department was defunded. These statistics are alarming and show the impact of the defunding decisions.
Additionally, the data highlights a concerning 32% year-over-year increase in car thefts from October 2022 to October 2023. The numbers are staggering, with a total of 5,633 vehicle thefts reported this year. Law enforcement officials suspect that some of these thefts are linked to the “Kia Challenge,” a troubling trend that has been circulating on social media platforms.
Authorities believe that this challenge specifically targets vehicles made by Kia and Hyundai, exploiting system vulnerabilities to facilitate theft. One method involves dismantling the steering columns to access the electrical wiring, allowing the thieves to start the car using a USB drive and drive away without difficulty. This worrying trend has put vehicle owners at risk, but there are measures that can be taken to prevent theft, such as using locking bars on steering wheels and ensuring that keys and valuables are never left inside vehicles.
This concerning increase in auto thefts has shed light on the impact of defunding decisions made in 2020 and the long-term effects they have had on law enforcement capabilities. If these trends continue, it may take well over a decade for the police department to recover from the staffing and funding cuts that have taken place in recent years. This reinforces the importance of considering the broader implications of defunding essential services like law enforcement.