Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The numbers don't lie, and it seems not a day goes by where we don't hear about a rash of car thefts and break-ins across the Buffalo-Niagara region.
A new study finds Buffalo's increased rate of car theft is third-highest in the nation. However, the numbers pale in comparison to nearby Rochester, where that rate has soared by 335%.
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A study by the Council on Criminal Justice shows how car thefts jumped 33.5% across major cities, with Buffalo's rate up 155% from last year.
Jeff Rinaldo of Vista Security Group, and a longtime leader in the Buffalo Police Department, says while law enforcement is doing what it can, it starts with you.
"It is surprising how many people actually do leave their keys inside of a car. That just makes your car very attractive to a thief," said Rinaldo.
He also notes there's a lot of information on the Internet on how you can basically hack into a vehicle and steal these cars, like Kias and Hyundais.
Rinaldo says Buffalo Police uses the assistance of helicopters to attempt to track these cars, and make an apprehension once the car comes to a stop. This has been very useful of law enforcement officials.
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"The last thing you want to see is any type of law enforcement car case over a stolen car that results in some type of injury, or even worse, fatality to the officers, to the general public, or to the suspect. A lot of the suspects in these cases are juveniles," explains Rinaldo.
Rinaldo says what is driving the response by law enforcement is statistics and data, knowing what areas of a particular municipality are seeing a spike in these types of car thefts.
The "Car Coach", Lauren Fix tells WBEN automakers are taking steps to reduce thefts.
"A lot of the newer vehicles, when you walk away with the key fob in your hand and you forget to lock your car, many of the more expensive cars are locking the car automatically. Another reason not to leave your key fob in the car, because it could lock the car," warns Fix.
She says automakers are also installing theft tracking, like GM's OnStar and Hyundai's Bluelink.
Fix says you can also take steps, like getting a LoJack.
"They take their car, they can shut it down remotely, they can track that vehicle," adds Fix.
She also warns electric vehicle charging cables are being stolen.
"In many cases, that cable still is copper, which is valuable to them, just like catalytic converters. If you've got an electric vehicle and you plug it in the wall home, and you come out in the morning, it's gone," notes Fix.
Fix adds the cost to replace the cables is $1,000.