Automobile thefts are on the rise in New York Metropolis, and Gotham’s best are turning to Apple’s AirTag trackers for assist. On Sunday, Mayor Eric Adams and the NYPD stated 500 free AirTags would go to residents by request within the police precinct hardest hit by automobile thieves.
“This straightforward machine, this easy AirTag, hidden in a automobile location that an individual shouldn’t be conscious, of is a wonderful monitoring machine,” Adams stated. “It’s straightforward to watch. You may see in real-time the place the automobile is situated.”
AirTag monitoring units will assist struggle automobile theft in New York Metropolis
Whereas crime general has gone down lately in New York Metropolis, automobile thefts this yr have risen 13% over final yr, with near 4,500 autos taken citywide, ABC7 reported.
Adams pointed to Hyundai and Kia autos specifically, which have seen a spike in thefts because of explanatory movies on TikTok, he stated. You may watch statements by Adams within the CBS New York video beneath. An explainer video by the NYPD seems with its chief’s tweet, additional beneath.
The town’s forty third Precinct in southeastern Bronx has seen essentially the most thefts, with a 24% rise, and that’s the place residents can request free AirTags for his or her automobiles. If extra residents discreetly place AirTags of their autos, extra stolen automobiles could be tracked after which recovered by police.
“Your telephone will likely be alerted. You already know somebody’s in your automobile who’s not speculated to be, and/or it’s stolen. You name 911 as quick as you’ll be able to,” stated NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell. “You inform the officers concerned ‘I’ve an AirTag, ‘and they’re going to instantly with citywide apprehension equipment will begin placing that tag citywide.”
The five hundred AirTags come by donation from the nonprofit Affiliation for a Higher New York.
The twenty first century requires twenty first century policing. AirTags in your automobile will assist us get well your automobile if it’s stolen. We’ll use our drones, our StarChase know-how & good previous trend police work to soundly get well your stolen automobile. Assist us show you how to, get an AirTag. #GSD pic.twitter.com/fTfk8p4lye
— NYPD Chief of Division (@NYPDChiefOfDept) April 30, 2023
