According to 2010 statistics released by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the metropolitan area around Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Conway leads the state in vehicle thefts.
The Myrtle Beach statistical area is 16th in the nation.
The Florence area ranks 10th in the state and 98th in the nation.
The good news is that vehicle thefts are down overall again for the 7th year in a row.
For 2010, the 10 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) with the highest vehicle theft rates were:
| 2010 Ranking | 2009 Ranking |
| 1. Fresno, CA | 5 |
| 2. Modesto, CA | 2 |
| 3. Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 3 |
| 4. Spokane, WA | 18 |
| 5. Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | 16 |
| 6. Sacramento/Arden-Arcade/Roseville, CA | 11 |
| 7. Stockton, CA | 4 |
| 8. Visalia-Porterville, CA | 8 |
| 9. San Francisco/Oakland/Fremont, CA | 7 |
| 10. Yakima, WA | 6 |
The NICB says its information comes from the National Crime Information Center. The NICB reminds users of the data that Metropolitan Statistic Areas used in their study are designated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and often include areas much larger than the cities for which they are named.
According to Tuesday's release from the NICB, the FBI's preliminary 2010 numbers show a 7.2 percent drop in vehicle thefts from 2009's number of 794,616.
NICB recommendations for protecting against vehicle theft:
Common Sense - The common sense approach to protection is the easiest and most cost-effective way to thwart would-be thieves. You should always:
• Remove your keys from the ignition
• Lock your doors /close your windows
• Park in a well-lit area
Warning Device - The second layer of protection is a visible or audible device which alerts thieves that your vehicle is protected. Popular devices include:
• Audible alarms
• Steering column collars
• Steering wheel/brake pedal lock
• Brake locks
• Wheel locks
• Theft deterrent decals
• Identification markers in or on vehicle
• VIN etching
• Micro dot marking
Immobilizing Device - The third layer of protection is a device which prevents thieves from bypassing your ignition and hot-wiring the vehicle. Some electronic devices have computer chips in ignition keys. Other devices inhibit the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine until a hidden switch or button is activated. Some examples are:
• Smart keys
• Fuse cut-offs
• Kill switches
• Starter, ignition, and fuel pump disablers
• Wireless ignition authentication
Tracking Device - The final layer of protection is a tracking device which emits a signal to police or a monitoring station when the vehicle is stolen. Tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles. Some systems employ "telematics" which combine GPS and wireless technologies to allow remote monitoring of a vehicle. If the vehicle is moved, the system will alert the owner and the vehicle can be tracked via computer.
