California Cities Where Your Car is Most Likely to be Stolen
Car thefts have become an increasingly big headache for police departments across the United States. Shortly after the pandemic started in 2020, law enforcement agencies throughout the United States noticed they were responding to more stolen vehicle reports than they had in past years.
“Auto thefts saw a dramatic increase in 2020 versus 2019 in part due to the pandemic, and economic downturn, law enforcement realignment, depleted social and schooling programs, and, in still too many cases, owner complacency,” David Glawe, president and CEO of the NICB, stated in a Forbes interview.
Many of the stolen vehicles were taken directly from the owner’s regular parking space and since many of the drivers had little use for their vehicle while things were shut down, it sometimes took before they discovered that their vehicle was no longer where they’d left it. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NCIB) reported that 10.9% more cars were stolen in 2020 than in 2019. Throughout the United States, 880,595 vehicles were reported stolen during 2020.
While auto thefts skyrocketed throughout the United States, California was hit the hardest. They led the nation in pandemic car theft. Throughout 2020, reported that 905.41 vehicles were stolen for every 100,000 of the state’s residents.
While no part of California is completely free of car thefts, there are some cities where you’re car is at an increased risk of theft.
Commerce, CA
At first glance, Commerce seems like a sunny, cheerful town in L.A. County, but dig just a little deeper and you discover that not only does Commerce have more car thefts than any other California city, but that it also has the highest overall crime rate. The average crime rate for Commerce, CA is 244 percent higher than other, similarly-sized cities. Many of these crimes involve car theft. In Commerce, the car theft rate is 2,742 thefts for every 100,000 Commerce residents.
Oakland, California
The city of Oakland is nestled up to San Francisco. Considering the city has a reputation for violence and gang-related crime, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that Oakland has a crime rate that’s a whopping 121 percent higher than California’s average. It also shouldn’t come as a surprise that car theft is a huge problem in Oakland. The issue of car thefts in Oakland recently gained some media attention after a man who was attempting to halt some car thieves was fatally shot
San Pablo, California
Many residents of San Pablo struggle to make ends meet. They also struggle to prevent their vehicles from getting stolen. Car thefts in San Pablo are particularly common near the local Contra Costa College and the local casino.
What steps do you take to keep your car safe when you’re visiting one of these three California cities?
Does Rehab Reduce Your Sentence in California
No one wants to go to prison. As soon as someone is initially booked and arrested, they suddenly realize how massive an impact a guilty conviction will have on their future. They often start wondering what they can do to make themselves look good and potentially reduce their sentence.
In drug and alcohol-related crimes, it’s common for the person to wonder if going to rehab prior to their conviction could result in a reduced sentence.
There is no black and white answer. Sometimes, going into rehab will lead to a reduced sentence. Other times, going into rehab won’t have any impact at all.
The biggest advantage to going into rehab before you’re officially sentenced is that the act of entering into treatment shows that you are serious about changing your life and that you have already taken the first steps. Many judges will likely take this obvious desire to change into consideration, particularly if this is the first time you’ve been in trouble with the law.
On the other hand, some crimes have a mandatory minimum sentence. In these cases, there’s very little the judge can do, even if you’ve already shown a desire to change and seek treatment.
If you’ve been arrested on drug-related charges and are wondering if a rehab program will lead to a reduced sentence, it’s in your best interest to discuss the matter with your lawyer. The other way to look at it is that entering rehab is likely going to improve your life and will greatly reduce the risk of you inadvertently doing anything to jeopardize your bail agreement.
If you have already been convicted of a drug-related crime and have been sentenced to probation which includes drug testing, it’s a good idea to enroll in a drug rehab program as quickly as possible, even if court-ordered drug rehab wasn’t part of your original sentencing. Being in the rehab program not only gets you clean but will also provide you with the tools needed to stay clean the entire time you’re on probation.
You Can Still Get Your Drinks To-Go
For as long as most of us can remember if you wanted to go out for a drink, you had to stay at the bar until you were finished. You weren’t allowed to order a drink to go.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, things changed. Bar and restaurant owners struggled to keep their businesses afloat while their regular patrons worked hard to obey social distancing and self-quarantining laws and stayed home.
The problem prompted lawmakers to take an unexpected step. As the pandemic continued to drag on, they passed a law that made it legal to order a drink to go. The catch was that this was a temporary law, designed to get people through the pandemic.
If you loved ordering your favorite drink from a bar and then taking it home so you could enjoy it in your own home, you’ll be delighted to know you can still do this. The recent passing of Senate Bill 389 allows some bars and restaurants to send customers home with wine and cocktails. Best of all, this law will remain in effect for the next five years. It’s likely that in five years, lawmakers will evaluate the situation and if it’s going well, they could decide to allow to-go adult beverages to continue.
Just because you can order your favorite wine and cocktail to-go, you’re free to do whatever you want with the drink. You still aren’t allowed to drive while intoxicated. Nor are you allowed to drink while you’re driving. Getting caught for either of these things will result in you getting into legal trouble.
You already know about California’s drunk driving laws, but you’re probably less aware of the state’s open container laws. In California, you aren’t allowed to consume alcohol or marijuana while you’re in a car. It doesn’t matter if you’re a driver or a passenger, you can’t have an open container in the vehicle.
If you are caught with an open container in your car, you will be hit with an infraction. The fine ranges from $100 to $250. If the drivers or passengers are underage, the repercussions of the open container is could result in six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.
Do you think that continuing the adult beverage to-go option is a good deal? Do you think that in five years lawmakers will choose to extend the law?
We’re Quick, Right To The Point
We don’t want to waste your time (we know it’s precious and there’s no time to waste) so we’re going to get right to the point.
Here at Absolute Bail Bonds in Los Angeles, we offer:
- Customizable, low monthly rate payment plans.
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- Licensed and experienced bail bond agents.
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- Phone approvals; if a face-to-face meeting is necessary, our agents go to you.
See how quickly we laid out what we can do for you? Error-free speed is our thing – we work very fast (and don’t worry we don’t cut corners either) to get people bailed out of jail, and our process, efficiency, and reliability won’t be any different for you and your loved one.
Contact someone at Absolute Bail Bonds in Los Angeles by opening a chat room online with us, or by calling us at (800)793-2245. We absolutely won’t let you down!
How to Report a Crime in California
It doesn’t matter if you’re the victim of a crime or if you have seen a crime take place. You should always report the situation to the police. Here’s how to go about doing just that.
Don’t try to take matters into your own hands. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is attempting to stop a crime that’s in progress. While it’s commendable that you want to do something about the situation, the odds of you getting hurt are extremely high. Stopping a crime that’s in progress isn’t worth jeopardizing your safety. When you witness a crime taking place that isn’t jeopardizing anyone’s actual health safety, don’t get involved. Simply report the situation to the police and let them handle it.
When you see a crime taking place, the first thing you need to do is get yourself to a safe place. Once you’ve addressed your personal safety, pull out your cell phone and contact 911. Explain what is happening. The 911 operator will advise you on the best way to protect yourself and also put you into contact with the police.
When the police reach out to you, give them as much information as you can. The more accurate you are about times and locations, the better the chances are that the prosecution will put together a successful case that will end with the criminal getting convicted.
Follow the police’s advice to the letter. If they want to speak to you in person right away, they will advise you on where to wait for them. If they want you to come to the police station and file a report, they will tell you which station to go to and whom to speak with.
It’s important that your memory of the incident remains clear. It doesn’t take much time for a memory to shift or fade, so it’s not a bad idea to grab a piece of paper and write down everything you remember about what you’ve witnessed. This includes a detailed description of the person/people who committed the crime.
If an arrest is made and the case goes to court, you’ll be called on to testify. The prosecutor that’s handling the case will provide you with the information you need to be a reliable witness while on the stand.
Valentine’s First Date Safety Tips
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Those of us who are single often feel that the holiday is the perfect day to arrange a first date and hopefully strike up a romance. The problem is that some of us are so fixated on connecting romantically, that we sometimes overlook basic first-date safety measures and will find ourselves in a dangerous situation.
Drive Separately
These days, most of us go on first dates with people we don’t actually know. In many cases, it’s an internet connection that sounds interesting. No matter how nice and trustworthy that person might sound during your virtual conversations, you need to remember that you don’t fully know them. One of the best ways you can keep yourself safe is making sure that each of you drives separately to your Valentine’s Day date location.
Driving does more than simply prevent you from being located in a small space where you have very little control over things with a person you don’t know well. It also provides you with an easy and accessible means of escape if the date doesn’t go well.
If you don’t have your own car, use an Uber/cab/bus to get to the location.
Tell Your Friends About Your Plans
Secret first dates sound fun and exciting, especially on Valentine’s Day. The other nice thing about secret first dates is that you don’t have to fill your friends and family members in on all of the details if the date turns out to be a dud.
The problem with secret Valentine’s Day dates is that if no one knows where you are or what you’re doing, they won’t know that you could be in trouble. Let at least one trusted person know where you’re going and who your Valentine’s Day date is. They will provide this information to the police if something goes wrong.
Meet in Public
Your Valentine’s Day date doesn’t have to be in a noisy club or even a secluded forest glen. It should be in a public place where people can step in if things don’t go the way you like. If you start to feel uncomfortable during the date, alert someone who is nearby and they can help extract you from the situation.
Never Leave a Drink Unattended
Always keep an eye on your drink. You don’t want your date or anyone else who is nearby, to slip anything into it. If you have to leave your drink, order a new one. Don’t finish the one that was left by itself.
Let Someone Know When You Make it Home Safely
Let the friend/family member you told about the date know that you’ve made it home and are safe. This is a great opportunity to discuss your Valentine’s Day date and decide if this is a person you’re interested in seeing again.
What are your plans for this Valentine’s Day?
Do I Have to Report a Traffic Accident?
Most of us have a weird, knee-jerk reaction to traffic accidents. We like to pretend we don’t know about them and try to put as much distance between ourselves and the traffic accident as we possibly can. This is our reaction whether we’re involved in the accident or if we’ve simply witnessed one.
When a traffic accident occurs, many of us wonder if we actually have to report it to the police.
If you’re driving any of the vehicles involved in a car accident, you are legally required to report the accident to the police.
Technically, you have 24 hours to complete a written report about the incident. All things considered, it’s in your best interest to report the accident as soon as it happens. There are several reasons for this:
- The responding officer will handle writing the written report for you
- Filing the insurance claim will be easier
- The events leading up to the cause of the accident is fresh in everyone’s mind
- You won’t have to worry about being labeled a hit and run driver
In addition to letting the police know about the accident, you need to let your car insurance company know about the accident as quickly as possible. Not only will this put you in a position to receive your claim money as quickly as possible, but if an investigation is needed, they will be able to talk to everyone involved while the details of the accident remain fresh in everyone’s mind.
But what if you merely witnessed a car accident but weren’t directly involved with it?
It’s in your best interest to make sure that everyone who was involved in the accident doesn’t need any type of medical attention and you should also plan on serving as a witness to the incident.
Staying Safe While Online Dating
It doesn’t look like online dating is going anywhere.
This is often the time of year when people start to think about online dating. Some do this because they think the start of a new year is the perfect time to start a new relationship. Others because they realize that Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Others decide that it’s a great time to create a new online dating profile because they hated being single during the holidays.
Whether you’re an online dating veteran or you’re just dipping your toe into the world of online dating, it’s always a good time to review safe online dating practices.
The first thing to remember is that you don’t really have any idea about who you’re talking to. Online dating is a great way to meet people, but it’s also a format that attracts a lot of predators. Choose a dating site that is upfront about its policy for keeping everyone involved safe.
If you make a match, take some time to get to know the person online before you arrange an in-person meeting. Whenever possible try to keep the conversation going through whatever means the online dating site has provided. This makes it easier to report any abuse or suspicious behavior.
Do not meet in a private or secluded area. Arrange to meet in a public place. Before going on your first date, let people know where you are going, who you are going with, and arrange for a time that you’ll check in with them and let them know that you’re okay.
Do not tell the person you’ve connected with online where you live. Make sure you eliminate any geographically identifiable items (such as your house) from the pictures you post on your profile.
If you start to feel at all uncomfortable with the other person, be it while you’re chatting on the dating site or while you’re on a real-time date with your online match, sever the connection and move on. Your safety and mental health are far more important than the few minutes of embarrassment you’ll feel while dashing away from the date.
Do not invite your online love connection to your home until you’re one hundred percent positive that they’re a good person and someone you can trust. If you have any reservations at all, keep the dates to public places. The same is true about getting into a car with them. It doesn’t matter if you’re driving or they’re driving, always travel in separate vehicles until you are confident about who you are with.
The most important thing to remember when you’re dating online is to trust your instincts. You really do know best so if something feels a little funny or unsafe it’s in your best interest to block that person and search for the next promising candidate.
California’s Child Safety Seat Laws Keep Kids Safe
All of us know that young kids have to be strapped into a safety seat whenever they’re in a vehicle. The reason for this is because those safety seats save lives. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that properly installed car seats reduce the number of infant fatalities suffered during car accidents by 54 percent and lower the number of serious injuries sustained during car accidents by 71 percent.
Like other states, California has strict child safety seat laws. Lawmakers used data collected during accidents that involved seriously injured children and accidents that involved a child fatality to decide how they could make it safer for parents to transport their children.
If you’re driving with children who are two years old or younger, the child must be securely strapped into a rear-facing car seat. The child will have to use this seat until they are either 40 pounds or 40 inches tall. The seat the child uses much comply with all the manufacturer’s height and weight restrictions.
Don’t assume that because your child is older or bigger that they no longer need special seating in the car. Children who are under eight years old can only ride in the back seat of the car and they must be in a car seat or a booster seat that’s designed to handle their weight and height. State law mandates that your child use the seat until they’ve passed their eighth birthday or until they are at least 4’9” inches tall.
It’s not enough to have your child secured in the car seat. The seat must also be properly installed. It is in your best interest to visit your local police or fire station. Someone who is on duty will have the training and time to make sure your car seat is properly installed. You are free to get help each time you purchase a different car seat or need to use a different vehicle.
Failing to make sure your child is properly secured in a safely installed child car seat is an infraction. You won’t go to jail if your child isn’t properly strapped into their car seat but you’ll get a ticket. The first time you get a ticket for not having a child in a car seat it’s a $100 fine. Each child’s car seat violation ticket after the first is a $250 ticket.
No matter how big a hurry you’re in when you leave your home, always take a few seconds to make sure your child is properly secured in their car seat before you pull out of your driveway.
Different Types of Domestic Violence
Most of us are familiar with the concept of domestic violence. What many of us don’t realize is that there is different types of domestic violence charges.
There is both misdemeanor and felony domestic violence. The exact circumstances surrounding the domestic violence incident determine which of those charges you face.
When the prosecutor is trying to decide if a specific case represents felony or misdemeanor domestic violence there are a few factors they consider. These factors include:
- The circumstances surrounding the incident
- How serious the victim’s injuries were
- Criminal history
It’s also possible that witness statements and medical records will play a role in determining how the charges will be handled.
In misdemeanor cases, a guilty verdict can result in a maximum sentence of 12 months in jail as well as possible fines. In felony domestic abuse cases the sentence can be 2,3, or 4 years in a state prison, mandatory counseling, a fine that could be as high as $6,000.
Felony domestic violence is a crime that often has sentencing enhancement added. The circumstances surrounding the case will often determine if the enhancements are added. If the newly convicted person already had a record that includes previous domestic violence convictions that occurred within the last seven years an additional $10,000 in fines as well as 2,4, or 5 years can be attached to the sentence.
If the domestic violence incident that’s currently on the table involved a great bodily injury, the judge has the option of using a sentence enhancement that adds 3,4, or 5 years to the sentence.
A single domestic violence charge can have a massive negative impact on your life. It can cause loved ones to turn their back on you, hurt your chances of securing houses, and make it significantly more difficult to find a romantic partner. The best way to prevent a domestic violence conviction from ruining your life is thinking before you act and removing yourself from the situation when you feel that you’re losing your temper.