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By Greg Bartlett

Car theft presents a genuine threat in cities across the nation. While it may seem natural to assume that only new, expensive cars are in danger of theft, statistics reveal that the primary targets are mid-range cars from the 1990s, with the Honda Civic, Honda Accord, and Toyota Camry topping the list. Perhaps because these cars are easier to sell at a profit than a more expensive car would be and are less attention grabbing, car thieves gravitate toward them and others like them. In 2006, only 12.6 percent of the car theft cases reported were closed with the arrest of the perpetrator.

GPS Vehicle Tracking & Theft

With the advent of GPS vehicle tracking, that number can change dramatically. Police departments report that cars carrying GPS tracking devices are much easier to track down, enabling police not only to recover the vehicle but also to apprehend the thief in most cases. Most of the transmitters are small enough to fit discreetly in an out of the way place that isn’t obvious in order to avoid detection by the would-be thief. Some are magnetic and can be positioned under the car. Once the transmitter has been activated, it sends signals to your computer allowing you to view the location of your car in real time. Some devices also allow you to monitor fuel usage and speed for more accurate clues as to the thief’s course of action.

In high theft areas, some police departments have begun placing “bait vehicles” that have been equipped with GPS vehicle tracking units. Once a thief nabs the car, officers can apprehend him almost immediately, taking another criminal off the streets and hopefully preventing actual thefts from taking place. This idea has also been put in place for the 2010 Winter Olympics in hopes of preventing a portion of the rise in crime that generally accompanies big events and large crowds.

With the potential for auto theft incidences to be reduced by half due to GPS vehicle tracking, it just makes sense for car owners to make sure their cars are equipped with the technology. Next to your home, your car is probably the most expensive asset you own. Locks and alarms can help, but they’ve proven inefficient in deterring criminals. GPS vehicle tracking puts you in control of your car so that even if a thief succeeds in disabling your security measures, you can still make sure he is apprehended and your vehicle is returned to you.