WEST ALLIS, Wis. — As the number of car thefts in the City of Milwaukee continues to rise, people are taking preventative steps to avoid falling victim.

It means businesses that install car alarms are keeping busy. ​

Randy Torgrud owns Alarmtronix in West Allis. Business at his shop is up nearly 40% this year as more people look to get car alarms installed.

Torgrud said the majority of customers inquiring about alarms own Kia’s or Hyundai’s. Those brands have become frequent targets of theft in the city.

Torgrud added that the situation right now with car thefts is among the worst he has seen in his four decade career.

“There have been times and stretches where it has been this bad, but it has gone up beyond where it has ever been, it has hit a higher level than ever before,” Torgrud said.

At Alarmtronix, many customers that look to have alarms installed have already fallen victim to car theft, while others simply want to prevent it after hearing about the rise in stolen cars.

“I’d say it’s like 40% of the people like that. Basically, they see this happening and don’t want it to happen to me,” said Torgrud.

In talking with so many people who have experienced a car break-in or car theft, Torgrud said he feels plenty of sympathy.

“You have some people who are supposed to take children to school and different things happening in regular life. All the sudden somebody takes their car on them,” Torgrud said. “This is their transportation they work hard for.”

Torgrud also said he expects demand at his shop to remain high for the foreseeable future, with a slowdown to rising car thefts not yet in sight.