The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is using a new method to combat car thefts in the city.
They are asking residents to place Apple AirTags in their vehicles to help locate them if they get stolen. The small, circular AirTags are tracking devices that allow users to monitor the location of their belongings through the “Find My” app on their iPhones. If a car is stolen with an AirTag inside, residents will be able to track their car and work with police officers to recover it. The NYPD has shared a video demonstrating how residents can use an AirTag to protect their vehicles.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and his police department are partnering with a non-profit organization in New York to distribute 500 AirTags to residents for free. Apple sells AirTags starting at $29. This initiative is part of the department’s effort to fight against vehicle theft in the city.
Adams said Kia, Hyundai, and Honda vehicles have been particularly vulnerable to theft, in part because of a trend circulating on TikTok. In April, Adams announced that New York City saw an 890% increase in Kia thefts at the end of last year and a 766% increase in Hyundai thefts in the preceding months. The city has joined a national lawsuit that aims to hold the vehicle manufacturers accountable for failing to install standard anti-theft measures in certain models.
Adams said on Sunday that AirTags are an “excellent” tracking device that he believes will help slow rates of car theft in the city. The NYPD is also using drones, StarChase technology, and good old-fashioned police work to safely recover stolen cars.
Using technology to fight crime and protect people is the direction the administration and the police department is going in, Adams said. AirTags in vehicles will aid in recovering stolen cars and will likely deter thieves from stealing vehicles in the first place. It is a low-cost solution that can make a big difference in the city’s crime rate.
This initiative is an innovative way to combat car theft in the city. It highlights the potential of technology to aid in law enforcement efforts, and it is an example of how city leaders and residents can work together to reduce crime rates.
By: John W.
