100 a day: Chicago motor vehicle thefts explode as SAFE-T Act changes debated – Wirepoints

By Matt Rosenberg

One hundred motor vehicle thefts a day. That’s the recent daily count in Chicago in October as motor vehicle thefts spiked dramatically in the last three months. Compare that to the first half of the year when Chicago was averaging “just” 35 thefts a day.

It’s just one part of the Great Unraveling of Chicago’s justice system that stems from emboldened criminals, a demoralized police force and a leadership class obsessed with soft-on-crime legislation like the SAFE-T Act. Late amendments to the Act under consideration today in the final day of the fall veto session could lessen the damage somewhat but key flaws and a lawsuit challenging the Act will remain.

As will the onslaught of car thefts in Chicago so outlaws can perpetrate serious crimes. The sheer volume of vehicle thefts now in the city is striking. According to the city’s data portal, Chicago is on track to suffer 20,234 by year’s end. That would be 91 percent more than last year, more than double the last pre-Covid pre-George Floyd year of 2019, and far greater than any year since 2006. 

Worse, the motor vehicle theft arrest rate projected for year-end based on data through November 21 is a stunningly low 2.5 percent. That’s lower than at any point in the last two decades. It’s no wonder the bad guys are emboldened. They face no consequences.

Rise of the “Kia Boys”

Starting in summer months, a new phenomenon spread nationally to major metro regions including Chicago. Crafty young car thieves, self-styled “Kia Boys,” learned – and shared on widely viewed videos – how to hack into and steal late-model Kia and Hyundai vehicles by activating the ignition with just a USB computer plug. This after breaking, entering and then stripping the steering column. 

As crime website CWB Chicago reported, boosting a Kia or Hyundai leaves thieves a longer “shelf life” in which to use the stolen car compared to a carjacked vehicle which usually prompts quick notifications to police.

 

Other car thefts continue as well, many stemming from delivery drivers leaving their engines running while they briefly run into a building. 

Stolen vehicles often taken for shootings, robberies, carjackings

Police say some cars are stolen for joy rides but in most cases the thefts are to facilitate serious crimes. 

One Chicago cop told Wirepoints: “It’s not like 30 or 40 years ago where they’re selling the stolen car for quick cash or they’re chopping it up for parts. Most…are being stolen expressly to use in shootings or in robberies so they can get away. If police see a stolen car they’re not going to know who’s driving it and who it belongs to…and police can’t chase the stolen cars. Basically if they jump back in the car, they kind of get away scott free. Even if the car isn’t taken in a carjacking, even if it’s just stolen….it leads into these other higher-level crimes.”

The officer added, “they’re driving these cars and taking them back to go do shootings in neighborhoods where they live or hang out. Or they’re using them to do robberies, usually in nicer areas. If you catch these guys, they’ll tell you. They do robberies in nicer areas because they’re easier victims, they’re easier targets.”

Once again, Chicago’s black residents get the worst of it

Whether for shootings in the ‘hood or robberies in upscale climes, the car thefts are being committed most often in low-income minority neighborhoods of Chicago: 

Those five districts accounted for more than a third of all car thefts citywide. They are predominantly populated by black Chicagoans, with smatterings of Hispanic and white residents. They mainly lie on the city’s troubled South Side, though one straddles the city’s north-side divider. 

The malfeasance continues

Cook County courts have put their characteristic stamp of misfeasance and ineptitude on Chicago’s growing vehicle theft problem. 

As CWB Chicago reported, one Kia Boy taken into custody had been convicted in a weapons case but released on probation before leading police on a high speed chase that required a helicopter and ground units to track and arrest him. Another Kia Boy less than two months before his vehicle theft bust this week had been charged and released for felony unlawful use of a weapon. After the gun charge he had been slotted to attend a “restorative justice” court which may include case resolution in a “peace circle.” But there is no peace for the growing number of car theft victims in Chicago.

Motor vehicle thefts – and the Kia Boys who perpetuate them – may be just one type of criminal activity in Chicago, but they are emblematic of a city increasingly sliding towards chaos.

Count on city and state leaders to completely ignore this data as they push full steam ahead on the SAFE-T Act. 

Appendix

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Ellen D
1 year ago

This is appalling and Matt is sopt on concerning the crime statistics. Hyundai and Kia Motors should be aware of this and remove certain information from the Internet, TikTok, YouTube, etc.

Many of us are very concerned about the impact of the Safe-T Act which will become state law beginning on January 1, 2023. Personally, I feel this very flawed law will further embolden criminals. A lose-lose for the citizens of Illinois.

David
1 year ago

I’ve used Matt’s data before as I’ve shared this information dozens of times, and on social media. If someone would have told you in 2014 that carjackings would go up six-fold (600%) by 2021, would you believe them? Well it happened. CORRECT #s on ODDS of being Carjacked in Chicago in 2014, 2020, and 2021: Ran some numbers for fun today, trying to tell my friend (tongue-in-cheek), “Really, even sextoupling of carjackings isn’t so bad.”  Well, it’s always how one subjectively interprets data. But this is nothing but truly terrible. Take this for the 8th grade level math that it… Read more »

Last edited 1 year ago by David
Stone Washington
1 year ago

Wow, Chicago criminals are emboldened now more than ever, with the skyrocketing trend of car theft. The extremity of the 2022 statistics are straight out of the fictional Grand Theft Auto game series. And criminals aren’t just emboldened, they are growing more crafty in their approach to hacking the most vulnerable cars (Kia and Hyundai) in order to maximize the impact of their thievery. Crazy stuff…

Christopherpgould
1 year ago

The thefts are hitting suburbanites in the wallet. According to an insurance executive, the increases they are pushing out exceed 15%, attributable to the thefts and damage claims lately. Cash is not the only reason to hate this trend, but it’s a good one. VOTE OUT Lori, David, and Kim !

Poor Taxpayer
1 year ago

Why not steal a car? Nothing happens to you if caught. If not, you have a nice car to ride around and do drive by shootings. Life is good the criminals in Chicago. Need another car just take another one, much less time and money than going to a car dealer.
Cops only make reports, they never look for the cars. As long as they get the huge pension money so they can move out of state ASAP they do not care.

Dr. Kenneth Joseph Yerkes
1 year ago

What is the Left Leadership trying to do? Chicago is already a city that has done Nothing to make the streets of Chicago safer! This SafeTAct needed to be totally repealed and replaced and more law enforcement should have been asked to contribute in writing up a replacement. Great Article, and I only hope and pray that more citizens read this well researched and well written article. “We The People Of Illinois” need to stand up against regressive response by the LEFT trying to repair bad legislation, that will continue to fail the good people who need to be better… Read more »

Carl
1 year ago

Something got to give!! Can’ keep reelecting the same problems over again! No one seems to care! Progressives are so ignorant! Can’t own up to it!

Aaron
1 year ago
Reply to  Carl

Does this apply to the vax? Own it Carl

Pat S.
1 year ago

After the gun charge he had been slotted to attend a “restorative justice” court which may include case resolution in a “peace circle.”

Any wonder thieves are flourishing in Chicago – PEACE CIRCLE?????

Stupid, stupid chickens.

Jerald L Dyson
1 year ago

Part and parcel of what is apparently a very bold attempt by George Soros to “remake” Americas justice system in favor of criminals, at the expense of victims. Soros funds the political campaigns of Democrat politicians…especially States’ and District Attorneys. Underlying that, it is an attempt by Soros to destroy America, and yet you see him prominently hob nobbing with Democrat luminaries like Nancy Pelosi. Not too hard to connect the dots if you want to.

Chisel
1 year ago
Giddyap
1 year ago

When your car is not safe on the street, your city is no longer livable for you.

Theresa Johanson
1 year ago

Progressive insurance was announced to be cancelling certain Make/models in certain Chicago zip codes. What do these people do? How are they to get anywhere? Get an Uber or risk an accident and financial ruin?

Lightfoot and Pritzker have to be intentionally letting Chicago self destruct. Well, actually promoting it as most are aware.

They aren’t stupid, just evil! God help us, please!

larisa
1 year ago

Summer of 2020 lawlessness I stopped visiting Chicago forever. Canceled Christmas traditions to the Berghoff. Chicago is not what it used to be.

Old Joe
1 year ago
Reply to  larisa

Yep, like the old grey mare!

Paul Huebl
1 year ago

Our politicians are deliberately destroying our economy, public safety and way of life. They intend to rebuild America into their Marxist model. I say we are better dead than red. We must stop this using whatever tools we have!

Dan Ronan
1 year ago

Something is seriously wrong.

Beth
1 year ago

Evil is not only running amok, it is taking over our entire society in this country, and taking over governments worldwide. And, at the root of it all is the love of money and power. Satan is freely dancing with delight…

Theresa Johanson
1 year ago
Reply to  Beth

And God’s people are rising!

Josh
1 year ago

Thank you for shedding light on this serious issue. Another terrific piece!

vb
1 year ago

This is one reason that I love my old Toyota with an RF chip in the key. Nobody is stealing my car without the key. I might get carjacked, but that is a different problem.

Aside from Kia, all you people with wireless key fobs better have a hidden kill switch. Otherwise, any hoodrat with an eBay blackbox will soon be enjoying your ride. Wireless key fobs have been hacked for years. Now, even a BIPOC teenager has the tech to steal these cars.

Rose Dean
1 year ago

People of Chicago will still vote Lightfoot in. Ridiculous

PlunkYourMagicTwangerFroggy
1 year ago

I’m driving my 2013 Kia with 126,000 miles into the city and hope the Kia boys steal it. $10K in insurance payment would make a nice down payment on a newer ride.

Admin
1 year ago

Hilarious. I have a 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse convertible that I love. They damn well better not steal it.

Keith Lutz
1 year ago

These car thefts not only negatively impact auto insurance rates, but race relations. The vast majority are black offenders. As Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle “sardonically chuckles” about violence spreading into once safe areas, she doesn’t mention those areas are considered liberal. Liberal as in more accepting of others no matter their skin color.
The Left created this crime wave. In doing so, they set back race relations a generation. If the Tribune asked Preckwinkle about this, I wonder if she would “sardonically chuckle”?

wayne Johnson
1 year ago

As a former Auto-Theft Detective in Chicago circa 1980s I have seen a weak response to escalating thefts in the city. The knee jerk response back then was to establish a call-back function where people were able to report their cars stolen over the phone. This eliminated personal contact with a police officer and opened the door to massive insurance fraud. Now 35 years later we see a department that is so short staffed that criminals go unchecked. However, the city continues to increase the burden on officers and leave residential areas uncovered. Officers are leaving in droves. Welcome NASCAR… Read more »

William Grube
1 year ago

Long b4 reading this we made the decision to take the old beater into the city for Xmas overnight celebration with relatives. Why tempt the odds. I’m also very mindful of my surroundings and a hand in my pocket.
I grew up here and hate what the politicians have done to a once great city.
Matt, I give you a lot of credit for your walks. Then again you may be able to outrun them. I can’t anymore. It’s stand your ground for me.

Ollie Capra
1 year ago

Thanks to Gov Pritzker and his notorious SAFE-T Act, crime is running wild. It probably will continue to get worse. A note to those that voted for this criminal supporting so called Governor. I hope you don’t become a victim of his generosity of dispensing more and more crime throughout the State.

James Stramaglia
1 year ago

When my Camaro Z28 was stolen in front of my girlfriend’s apartment on Addison near Harlem in 1985, CPD took it seriously and vigorously worked up the case and three weeks later it was located on the South Side all chopped up. There is not even an expectation any longer that police in Chicago have the inclination to follow up with an investigation. Just another example of how far we have fallen from “the glory days” of Richie’s tenure, which really were not that glorious at all. Incrementalism is a pandemic of low expectations!

Chisel
1 year ago

We are still paying out multi million dollar settlements, to guys imprisoned under States atty. Rich Daley’s push for convictions. Yet Burge was the scapegoat.

debtsor
1 year ago
Reply to  Chisel

The 70’s through 90’s were really, really violent times. Keep in mind those convictions came from forced confessions or fabricated witness IDs and statements. During a very violent era where some really, really heinous crimes were occurring. Just horrible stuff, far more heinous than the typical gangbanger driveby we have today. Just google the Girl X story from the end of the crime wave in 1997, its the most horrible stuff you can possibly imagine. Or the Ripper Crew during the early 80’s. Truly horrific out of this world crazy stuff that almost seems like fiction, but its true. It… Read more »

Willowglen
1 year ago
Reply to  debtsor

Watched ESPN’s documentary two days ago about the 1984 murder of Ben Wilson, the Simeon basketball star who was senselessly murdered by a young man affiliated with the Gangster Disciples. The documentary’s purpose was to lament the loss of an outstanding basketball talent, but a viewer cannot help but notice the dystopian nature of life then on the south side of Chicago. Violence, crack cocaine gearing up (Wilson’s brother was a user and rarely went to his games). Kids having babies, including Wilson and his girlfriend. The cast of characters in the documentary is a Chicago history lesson. Jesse Jackson,… Read more »

Preston
1 year ago

It’s unfortunate but true that you cannot stop people from committing sin. So long as those in society allow themselves to become corrupted, these problems such as theft, carjacking, murder, rape, and so on, will not go away. What society truly needs is a reinvigoration of the love of God, and the following of the 10 Commandments. Until then, these problems will only increase. There are those who think that talking about sin is a nonstarter, as we live in a secularized society. Nothing could be further from the truth. If society were upright and moral and virtuous, we wouldn’t… Read more »

No Way
1 year ago
Reply to  Preston

Not even that will help. I got jumped by a BlPOC in front of my Chicago apt unit in a decent area for no reason by a 30yo whose father is a prominent preacher. This is their entertainment. It’s sick and irreversible other than stopping it in its tracks. Believe it.

Old Joe
1 year ago

That’s 36,500 vehicles stolen per year. That ought to employ an entire precinct of cops. Or, Lil Kim could actually do her job and Chicagoland of yesteryear would return.

State_pension_millionairesp
1 year ago

We need a viable alternative. The republicans have too many high profile election deniers who attack the fbi and cia and who support Putin, and who pledge fealty to djt….and who’s first action in the house in January will be to cut irs funding (so their rich friends can keep avoiding taxes) ….plus a lot of the republicans have fed from the Combine too…. That won’t work in Illinois….maybe in Wyoming and ie Oklahoma but not Illinois. Rep party here has to stake their own position and reject Crazy. After doing all that, they are gonna also have to document… Read more »

Molly McShane
1 year ago

So sad what’s happening to such a beautiful city! I grew up there and never felt like I need to worry until now. Is there any real leadership out there willing to stand up for what is right?

George
1 year ago

I avoid the city unless I have business there
It appears that politicians who have extra security are numb to the real world

Charles Hutchinson
1 year ago

Excellent article.The shocking trend is not just in Chicago. The Northern suburbs are also being hit hard. February 2022, the Chicago Tribune headline in the Evanston Review section “Recent reports of vehicle thefts increase in Evanston, police warn ‘lock your car’“. The article noted that car theft had spiked “There were 13 reported motor vehicle thefts in Evanston this January compared with eight in January 2021, said (Evanston Police Commander Ryan) Glew.”Fast forward to November 2022 the same section headline “Vehicle thefts continue to be an issue in Evanston; police“. This article lists 10 auto thefts in 1 week (Nov.… Read more »

Karen
1 year ago

Do Chgo and Cook cty residents enjoy paying outrageous auto Insurance? I know I don’t! Maybe one of the 20 k auto thefts will have to happen to KIM Fox herself before anything is done about this.

Lin C
1 year ago

The safe t act is on the lips and minds of many.
Last week I was speaking to a friend. I asked how safe she feels parking her car in the lot at her work?
She said many have voiced concerns to their employer. The answer they received was to buy a dash cam for your car, and get a good alarm on car.
What? Huh? This is an answer?
So spend more money, cross your fingers and hope?
This is insane!
Thanks for your words, and graphs. It’s mind boggling.

Yvonne
1 year ago

This is sickening especially when you still have family that refuse to leave! What will it take for the people of Illinois to WAKE UP or like a friend just posted are they really stuck on stupid? Hate to repeat that!

No Way
1 year ago
Reply to  Yvonne

Leave and go where? Are you stuck on stupid, too, or did you think that moving was free?

Bob
1 year ago

Some advice. Although it’s so convenient to keep your garage opener in your car, it’s a really bad idea when shopping or parking at shows and theatres or in a parking space at O’Hare. The thieves can monitor your comings and goings at these places and snatch your car. Having your address in the Glove Compartment makes it easier for them to drive right,and head for your household and clean out your valuables while you are away. Also, there are people believe it or not, who do not know their license plate number and a good thief will always clean… Read more »

Jay
1 year ago

I’ve been a car theft victim, but years ago, down by the old South Water Mkt at 12th & Racine, so in a way I was asking for it. The numbers are staggering, and the Kia loophole doesn’t help the smart thieves will find a way in other models too. In 2023 you will not find me parking on the street in the city, and not even valet unless it’s a watched lot. If that means I stay suburban, so be it. Another reason not to spend money in the city. Thank you Lightfoot, Pritzker et al.

Elizabeth
1 year ago

Hard to believe, but know a number of people personally who were victims, so I sure can believe it. Wow the outrageous number, no words! Truly hope everyone reads this, and takes the next election seriously.

Marie
1 year ago

At our house we simply call it the “If you got more than I got, you gotta get me some.” rule. Illinois thrives on it. It doesn’t matter how hard you worked or how much you sacrificed to have what you have you are supposed to give it away to those who didn’t or wouldn’t. If you don’t give it away they will take it because they believe they deserve it and you don’t.

Ollie Capra
1 year ago
Reply to  Marie

Very true.

VICTOR MARTIN
1 year ago

What a shame. The city is doomed. It’s going to get a lot worse next year.

Con
1 year ago

Wealthy people are insulated from many of the bad criminal justice policies they support. The Safe-T Act is one example of how poor minority communities suffer the most.

Chisel
1 year ago
Reply to  Con

Those woke wealthy folk didn’t come out in mass, to vote in the supporters of the SafeT act. Those in the poor minority communities keep voting in the same phony politicians that pander to them, yet care about them the least.

debtsor
1 year ago
Reply to  Chisel

The SAFE-T Act is a great deal for poor minorities who commit criminal acts. They’re getting a literal get out of jail for free card. Someone poor lady’s trigger happy baby daddy is coming home soon and not a moment too soon, because she needs money to pay rent next month, and her source of income was locked up.

jajujon
1 year ago

Just think about the statistic that shows a doubling of car thefts YoY. There will be 20,000 owners left without transportation to get to work, to transport children to school, to shop for groceries because they live in a food desert, to attend church. Over 1/3 of thefts are in neighborhoods that can ill afford them; they’re stealing from each other. With a miserable 2.5% arrest rate, do you think those community members are angry and frustrated? Hell yes! But the mayor and police chief say crime is down. How’s that social justice experiment working, Mayor Lightweight? Maddening . .… Read more »

Dan
1 year ago

Absolutely shocking times we are living in. Without an effort to stop these thefts, word quickly spreads that f you need a getaway vehicle, take one.

Hale L DeMar
1 year ago

Death by a million small cuts. Just more and ballooning criminal acts perpetrated on our citizenry by a phalanx of professional and untouchable criminals. What puzzles me most is the silence of the powerful business interests in our city. Multimillion dollar corporate interests who silently stand by and continue to support these criminal acts by way of their silence, their acquiescence and their politics. Do these corporations have ‘no dog’ in this race’ or have they been silenced my the mere threat of black backlash ? All absolutely incomprehensible to me.

debtsor
1 year ago
Reply to  Hale L DeMar

“have they been silenced my the mere threat of black backlash?”

Yes, yes they have. It’s considered racist dog whistle to complain about crime committed disproportionately by BIPOC. It’s is corporate malfeasance to speak out against the current political environment, and risk destroying a brand fending off the enduring wrath of the leftwing twitter mobs. There’s a ton of dark money groups out there that bully advertisers. They’ve been bullying every advertiser that still advertises on twitter. Even companies like General Mills have ‘paused’ advertising at the behest of leftwing advocacy groups.

Last edited 1 year ago by debtsor
Trash Panda
1 year ago

What’s wrong with you people, Wirepoints, publishing lies like this? Haven’t you seen the police commander recently bragging about crime being down by 40%? Forget the graph showing the opposite, he’s a police commander. Mayor Lightfoot tells us crime is down, she’s the mayor and knows things. Judge Evans says his get out of jail free program works and there are not repeat violent criminals involved in more violent crimes when they get the free pass, except for the 40 or 50 documented cases where victims died. Lies, nothing but lies being published here. There are charts and graphs with… Read more »

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