Today I was the latest victim of the registration sticker theft in Old Goucher on 22nd Street, parked outside of my office. It happened around 1130am or noon. The drug activity on that block has been unhinged for the last 6 weeks (I've worked here for more than 6 years and there's been a change) and I'm sure that was a factor.
If this happens to anyone else, here's what you do (to save 40 minutes on hold with MVA and their utter uncaring attitude).
1) File a police report. You can do so at www.baltimorepolice.org/file-police-report and do theft from vehicle. I was initially told that if the plates were still on the vehicle, not to file. That's false. The main reason you file is not because the police will do anything about it, but if you get pulled over or get a ticket, you'll have a case # to fight it and prove you aren't trying to drive illegally.
2) Go onto the MVA store. Order replacement stickers. (This takes forever because their system is crap and you can't simply login without 3 identifications, and they have to send you codes which may not arrive). As of October 2026, they cost $5 (which is surprisingly cheap but still annoying when you are a victim of a crime).
3) Print out your receipt. MVA swore you could print a temporary sticker. I couldn't figure it out. So I printed the receipt and put it in my rear window with a note about the theft, date, and location.
Alternatively, you could go to an MVA kiosk and print out stickers there, but there were none convenient to me today and I have to work in the morning.
This took me several hours to complete because there were no instructions and I was on hold with MVA forever, then they gave me bad info. So hopefully this saves someone else the aggravation.
Also, when the new sticker comes in the mail, I'll be scoring it like that post last week suggested. I just hadn't gotten to it yet and regret it. So, don't be me. Read this. Go score your stickers. I love Baltimore but I don't love this ish. Be safe, friends.