California sees statewide decline in car thefts, first drop in four years, 92% of stolen vehicles recovered
California – California says it has made a big move forward in its fight against car theft: from 2023 to 2024, the number of stolen cars, trucks, and SUVs fell by 13% across the state. This is the first time in four years that the number has gone down, and it comes after a lot of extra enforcement by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and other local police departments.
State officials say that these coordinated efforts, which were made possible by targeted funding and smart partnerships, are an important catalyst for the change. Governor Gavin Newsom said that the state is serious about stopping crime and making neighborhoods safe again.
“We continue to put the safety of California communities first. Through strategic funding and partnerships with local and state law enforcement partners, we are putting a brake on lawlessness and criminals disrupting our way of life,” Newsom said in a release.
The effect has been very strong in several counties. Kern County witnessed a huge 28% drop in car thefts, while Santa Barbara saw a 29% drop. Alameda County’s numbers went down by 18%, and San Bernardino’s numbers went down by 11%. Riverside (down 24%), Sacramento (down 23%), and San Francisco (down 17%) are among other counties that saw big drops.
“We are proud to see fewer vehicles being stolen across the state,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “The CHP and our law enforcement partners are working hard every day to stop these crimes, protect California’s communities and hold criminals responsible.”
The rates of recovery have also stayed high. In 2024, about 92% of stolen vehicles, trucks, and SUVs were found again. This was good news for the victims and their families who had their cars stolen.
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For a lot of people in California, having your car stolen doesn’t simply mean losing anything; it changes their whole way of life. Whether it’s getting to work, dropping off children at school, or attending medical appointments, reliable transportation is essential. That’s why the Newsom administration has continued investing in tools to prevent crime and enforce accountability. California has spent $1.6 billion since 2019 to hire more police officers and make the state safer for everyone.
These new data are part of a larger trend. California has launched the biggest campaign ever against organized retail theft in the last few years. It has also passed bipartisan rules to reduce property crimes and stepped up operations to target criminal organizations. State leaders say these steps are necessary to keep ahead of criminals and make sure they face serious penalties, even if crime rates are at historic lows and criminals are always coming up with new ways to commit crimes.
The message from the state is clear: California is not going to stop protecting people and their property.
