In an effort to combat the growing issue of car thefts in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams has announced a plan to distribute 500 Apple AirTags to residents. By taking advantage of this advanced tracking technology, the city aims to not only help the New York Police Department recover stolen vehicles but also deter potential thieves. Vehicles from manufacturers such as Kia and Hyundai have been particularly susceptible to theft, following a viral TikTok video which showed how easily these cars can be stolen. Mayor Adams expressed his hope that this initiative will help put a stop to the increasing occurrences of grand larceny auto thefts in the city.
During a press conference on Sunday, the mayor explained the benefits of using AirTags in the fight against car theft. He noted that even if a stolen vehicle is reported days after the incident, the AirTag can still be used to locate the car and apprehend the individual responsible. This technology could potentially put a significant dent in the ever-growing epidemic of auto thefts that has been plaguing New York City residents.
The NYPD’s Crime Prevention Unit will be responsible for managing the distribution of the AirTags, focusing primarily on precincts with the highest incidences of car theft. By doing so, the city aims to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of the devices to those most in need. This plan was shared with ABC News by a spokesperson from the mayor’s office.
The 500 AirTags to be distributed were generously donated by the Association of a Better New York. In addition to this initial batch, the city is actively fundraising to purchase more AirTags or similar tracking devices to expand the program and create a safer environment for residents in the community.
An AirTag is a compact tracking device that utilizes Bluetooth technology to communicate its location to the owner’s smartphone. Owners can discreetly place these devices in their vehicles, making it difficult for would-be thieves to detect their presence. Should a vehicle equipped with an AirTag be stolen, the owner can inform the NYPD, who can then utilize the tracking technology to recover the vehicle.
To protect the privacy of vehicle owners, the NYPD will not have the ability to track an AirTag without the explicit permission of the owner. This ensures that the technology will not be used to monitor residents in any way that violates their rights. The main goal of the initiative is to swiftly recover stolen vehicles, apprehend car thieves, and minimize the impact of these crimes on the everyday lives of New Yorkers.
New York City has seen a notable increase in car thefts in recent years, with 4,793 grand larceny autos reported in just this year alone. This represents a staggering 14% increase compared to the previous year. The NYPD has made it a priority to tackle this issue in order to bring about a safer environment for New Yorkers.
A significant portion of the cars stolen in the city has been specifically Hyundais and Kias, with 966 of these vehicles reported stolen this year. The surge in thefts of these vehicles can be attributed to the lack of anti-theft measures in place, and the increased public awareness resulting from the viral TikTok video.
In response to the rising car theft rates, the city announced in April that it would be joining a nationwide lawsuit against Kia and Hyundai for their failure to equip their vehicles with proper anti-theft measures. New York’s attorney general was among a group of 18 who urged the federal government to issue a recall for Kia and Hyundai models that lacked appropriate anti-theft controls.
According to the group filing the lawsuit, the increase in thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles has led to devastating consequences, including at least eight deaths and numerous injuries and property damage. By taking legal action against these auto manufacturers, the city hopes to hold them accountable for their negligence in protecting their customers from auto theft.
Responding to the criticism and legal action, Kia has asserted that the lawsuits against them are without merit. However, the company has also taken steps to increase security measures for their vehicles. Kia recently introduced a free software upgrade aimed at boosting anti-theft capabilities and has provided free steering wheel locks for affected vehicle owners.
Kia has also emphasized its willingness to work cooperatively with law enforcement in New York to combat the issue of car theft and the role of social media in promoting it. This display of commitment to addressing the problem of car theft in the city is an important step in creating safer streets for New York residents.
Similarly, Hyundai has taken several actions in response to the widespread thefts of their vehicles. The company has made anti-theft engine immobilizers a standard feature on all vehicles produced since November 2021. They have also rolled out a free software upgrade to prevent theft and introduced an insurance program for affected customers.
Furthermore, Hyundai has gone a step further by reimbursing customers for the purchase of steering wheel locks, demonstrating their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of their vehicles. Both Kia and Hyundai’s efforts to address the issue of car theft should be viewed as a positive step forward for the residents of New York City.
The combination of the AirTag initiative and the actions taken by car manufacturers like Kia and Hyundai serves to strengthen the fight against car theft in New York City. By working together to confront this issue, residents, law enforcement, and auto manufacturers can help create a safer environment and bring reassurance to those affected by these crimes.