[Grampa Dave]

The under reporting of crimes is probably very wide spread for many reason.

Car thefts and hard crimes like murder, rape, armed robbery and assault are probably better stats to look at.

Years ago after I retired, we thought about moving to a three communities.

Our longtime insurance agent heard that we were interested and did some checking on stolen vehicles and the above hard crimes.

The rates of stolen autos and crimes like assault eliminated two of the communities with local newspaper reports re reported crime. This agent and his peers felt that these were directly related to rampant drug use in those communities. The druggies stole to buy drugs. Much of what they stole was not reported. Stolen cars are usually reported and showed a higher level of crime.

[mrustow]

This agent and his peers felt that these were directly related to rampant drug use in those communities. The druggies stole to buy drugs. Much of what they stole was not reported.

But that's impossible! Just the other day, a libertarian was telling me about how drug addicts don't harm anyone but themselves.

[TalonDJ]

Much of what they stole was not reported. Stolen cars are usually reported and showed a higher level of crime.

That is good to remember and it makes sense. They would want to track those so they can have a hope of catching criminals and because of the licensing and registration would have to be updated in the system. It would be hard for them to not record car thefts.

[PawPaw2]

Here in Houston car thefts are reported as "unauthorized use of a motor vehicle" so as to "reduce" crime. I have a older car with only liability insurance that was recently stolen. The policeman who wrote up the report flatly refused to call it a car theft. When the car was recovered I spent nearly $2000 out of pocket to repair the damages (steering column, dashboard/glove box and trunk lid).
Incidentally, that same policeman said most car thieves are 18 and under and they are not prosecuted unless they are apprehended at least 3 times.