Baltimore is experiencing a vehicle theft epidemic, with over 11,000 stolen cars reported in 2023. This is a 200% increase from 2022, when about 3,500 vehicles were stolen. The explanation for this soaring problem is simple. The first issue is that of policing. The “defund the police” movement hit Baltimore and nearly every other major city in the United States. Discouraging police work in a dangerous place like Baltimore will result in more crime. Then, there is the issue of TikTok promoting videos showing how easy it is to steal a Kia or Hyundai. These viral vehicle-stealing videos result in an outbreak of these types of cars going missing. The practice of stealing Kia and Hyundai cars has become so popular that major insurance companies refuse to write policies for Kia or Hyundai vehicles.
SOURCES:
FOX Baltimore on X: “Baltimore’s car theft crisis continues into new year, over 11,000 vehicles stolen in 2023 https://t.co/NJVzMNhaaz” / X
Baltimore’s car theft crisis continues into new year, over 11,000 vehicles stolen in 2023 | WBFF
While car thefts tripled in Baltimore City in 2023, carjackings tick down – CBS Baltimore
