California Business Minute™

Hi, I am Tim Johnson and welcome to the California Business Minute.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) released its annual report this
week for 2008 illustrating the nation's fifth consecutive year of declining
vehicle thefts in the United States.  Although most areas experienced a
reduction in vehicle theft, California ranks as the number one state for
stolen vehicles and the most cities in the top ten locations in the nation
for vehicle theft.  Modesto continues its number one ranking in the nation
by percentage

For 2008, the 10 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) with the highest vehicle
theft rates are:

               2008 Ranking                              2007 Ranking
    1. Modesto, CA                                                1
    2. Laredo, TX                                                    6
    3. Yakima, WA                                                 9
    4. San Diego/Carlsbad/San Marcos, CA              3
    5. Bakersfield, CA                                           15
    6. Stockton, CA                                                4
    7. Las Vegas/Paradise, NV                                2
    8. Albuquerque, NM                                           7
    9. San Francisco/Oakland/Fremont, CA              5
    10. Fresno, CA                                                11

However, the Texas MSAs of El Paso, Laredo and San Antonio along with Las Cruces
in New Mexico each saw an increase in 2008. For the complete information on Hot Spots,
please visit www.nicb.org .

I am Tim Johnson and this has been the California Business Minute.