Record of stolen cars reported in Los Angeles during the last quarter

Photo: Aurelia Ventura / Impremedia / La Opinion

The organization Crosstown LA presented an analysis that Demonstrates a dramatic increase in the number of stolen cars on the streets of Los Angeles during the coronavirus pandemic.

The analysis, which used data from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), states that during the second quarter of the year auto thefts increased nearly 58% from the same period last year.

Have you been keeping your car on the street during the # COVID19 shutdown? You might want to find a new parking spot.

Read the full article on the spike in car theft at https://t.co/jo09U5NFOk. Written by @ kmstorm99 with graphics by @jdleroy. #LosAngeles pic.twitter.com/6tNVXX5AYb

– Crosstown LA (@CrosstownLA) July 20, 2020

Only in April did the city experience a 31% increase in car theft, according to the report of Crosstown LA. The neighborhoods with the highest incidence of car theft this year are Boyle Heights, Sun Valley and Van Nuys.

During the months of April, May and June 5,744 vehicle thefts were reported, according to LAPD data. The figure would represent a record for the city.

The report affirms the public security authorities attribute the increase to the coronavirus pandemic, in part because confinement has created more opportunities for this crime since people leave their cars parked in one place for longer periods of times.

Furthermore, the policy of zero bail in California courts It would also contribute to an increase in robberies since criminals are released without facing a trial and often reoffend.

Crosstown LA a school nonprofit communication project Annenberg of Journalism from USC.