This week, we asked readers for their opinions on the rise in car thefts in The Bronx, along with an apparent rise in car tire theft and car break-ins. As of May 11, year-to-date Bronx auto theft statistics were up 8.1% (to 1,531), and for the 28-day period ending May 11, they were up 19.1% (to 386). The latest reported statistics, including auto theft, for the 52nd, 50th and 46th Precincts specifically are included further below.

 

“The problem is huge around here; it’s happening like never before; so many cars, almost every day. They break into the cars, they break the windows, or they are stealing the tires, just like what they did here last Thursday. What we need is for them to start pressing charges against these people; it should be a felony.”

Francisco Marte,
Norwood

“I often see a lot of broken glass by the cars along Webster Avenue. I don’t know too much about cars, but I do know that they steal tires, and they steal the rims and the catalytic converters but lately, I have noticed a lot of broken windows and glass up and down the street. It happens in dead areas like Park Avenue; the damage is done.”

Charles Gibson,
Tremont resident visiting Kingsbridge

“Personally, I haven’t seen it myself, but I’ve had family members and neighbors tell me about situations like that. I do believe it is an increasing problem, and I believe the only way for the NYPD to stop it is to be tougher on criminals. I would say no catch and release. I feel with a lot of catch and releases, you give dangerous people a chance to do more harm than good.”

Tariq Bawoud,
Pelham Parkway

I see it all over Marine Park, cars up on cinder blocks or milk crates and all four wheels gone in seconds; it’s definitely a growing problem. As far as police, they need to do more night patrols. GPS doesn’t seem to be successful. Case in point; they just busted a car theft ring totaling $4 million in stolen cars. People would take orders and cops made purchases and finally broke it up.”

John Shaffer,
Brooklyn

“Yes, it’s happening a lot and the solution is that the 43rd Precinct needs to sit down with us, the community, and find a solution to these problems. The cops are not doing anything at the 43rd Precinct.”

Rev. Carmen Hernandez,
Soundview

 

For more coverage of this issue, click here.

 

Major crime statistics, including auto theft, for the 46th Precinct for the 28-day period ending May 11, 2025 compared to last year (left), and year-to-date major crime statistics for the 46th Precinct as of May 11, 2025, compared to last year (right) are attached above. This precinct covers some or all of Fordham, University Heights, Morris Heights and Mt. Hope.

Major crime statistics, including auto theft, for the 50th Precinct for the 28-day period ending May 11, 2025, compared to last year (left), and year-to-date major crime statistics for the 50th Precinct as of May 11, 2025, compared to last year (right) are attached above. This precinct covers some or all of Kingsbridge, Fieldston, Riverdale, Marble Hill, and Spuyten Duyvil.

 

Major crime statistics, including auto theft, for the 52nd Precinct for the 28-day period ending May 11, 2025, compared to the same timeframe last year (left), and year-to-date major crime statistics for the 52nd Precinct as of May 11, 2025, compared to last year (right) are attached below. This precinct covers some or all of Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge, Norwood, Bronx Park, and University Heights.

Editor’s Note: We reached out to the NYPD press office for comment on the last remarks about the 43rd Precinct response. The latest year-to-date car theft statistics were down (161 from 162) as of May 11 for that precinct, which covers Westchester Avenue, Castle Hill Avenue, White Plains Road, and Parkchester.