Full Notification

Identified Crime Trend:  Higher percentage of reports of vehicle license plate theft.  From 2015 to 2016 in the month of February, overall license place thefts have increased by 71.9%. The most notable increase was seen in the Oildale area of Bakersfield, with over four times the amount of license plate theft reported in 2016 as compared to 2015.

Please read the following tips to help prevent and deter license plate thefts in Kern County provided to you by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit:

-          Always park in a garage or secured area.  Any vehicle left parked outside is an easier target for theft.  The safest place for one’s vehicle will always be in a closed or locked garage.

-          If parking in a garage is not an option, park in well-lit, well-populated areas.  If possible park in the driveway of a well-lit residence that is visible to homeowners.  Motion activated lights are also recommended for driveways.

-          Install anti-theft, one-way screws into the license plate of your vehicle.  Anti-theft license plate screws are designed to allow anyone to use a screwdriver to put the plates on with the screws, but require a specialized tool to take off. These screws can be purchased at most hardware stores.

-          Most criminals commit crimes in neighborhoods where they feel unseen – thus why most vehicle vandalisms occur at night.  The Sheriff’s Office coordinates over 90 neighborhood watch groups.  Starting or revitalizing a neighborhood watch group can help residents to work cohesively as a street or block to address issues such as: removing visual barriers (shrubbery, hedges, etc.), add or improve lighting, install security cameras, and use the strengths of each neighbor on the block to help prevent crime.  Many neighborhood watch groups will ask the night owls, night shift workers, late night smokers, etc. to help keep an extra set of eyes on vehicles and property when most people are asleep.

-          Remove old registration tags before applying current tags.  Clean the license plate before applying new tags.  After current tags have been applied, use a razor blade or sharp edge to slice a thin “X” into vehicle tags.  They will still remain on the vehicle, but if a criminal tries to steal the license plate for the purpose of reselling the tags they will come off in pieces and will not be usable.

-          Check your rear license plate often.  If stolen or damaged report it to law enforcement and the DMV immediately.

The Sheriff’ Office is committed to recognizing crime trends and proactively informing and educating the public.  It is the goal of the Crime Prevention Unit to help the residents of Kern County so that they may be aware of issues before becoming the victim of a crime.  However, if a resident of the unincorporated metro Bakersfield area has previously been or becomes the victim of a license plate theft, the Crime Prevention Unit will provide a set of (2) free anti-theft screws to the resident.  Please email [email protected] and include resident name, sheriff report number, and address to be mailed complimentary anti-theft, one-way screws.  Available only while supplies last.

For questions or additional information, including how to form a Neighborhood Watch group, please call the Crime Prevention Unit at (661) 391-7559. 

To report theft of license plates or vehicle registration the following convenient options are available.

Online reporting:  kernsheriff.com

Phone reporting: (661) 391-7471

Non-emergency number: (661) 861-3110