NYC's Solution To Rising Car Thefts: Here, Have An Apple AirTag

NEW YORK CITY — New York City's latest strategy against a rash of car thefts is the same as what forgetful tech-savvy people do to find their keys and stalkers stalk their victims: grab an Apple AirTag.

The city will hand out 500 free AirTags at police precincts in areas prone to car thefts, Mayor Eric Adams announced Sunday.

"This simple AirTag, hidden in a car at a location that a person is not aware of, is an excellent tracking device," Adams said.

Nearly 4,500 motor vehicle thefts have been reported so far this year, a 13 percent rise over the same span in 2022, according to NYPD crime statistics.

The thefts have been driven in part by a viral TikTok challenge that highlights a security flaw in certain Kia and Hyundai vehicles, police officials said. The city has seen 966 thefts of those vehicles this year, compared to 819 last year, officials said.

An NYPD video — complete with a booming hip hop soundtrack and dramatic recreations — shows how cops propose to use the AirTags to deter those thefts.

Putting an AirTag in a vehicle can help police track and recover it if it's stolen, tweeted NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey.

"We’ll use our drones, our StarChase technology & good old fashion police work to safely recover your stolen car," he wrote.

"Help us help you, get an AirTag."

The 21st century calls for 21st century policing. AirTags in your car will help us recover your vehicle if it’s stolen. We’ll use our drones, our StarChase technology & good old fashion police work to safely recover your stolen car. Help us help you, get an AirTag. #GSD pic.twitter.com/fTfk8p4lye
— NYPD Chief of Department (@NYPDChiefOfDept) April 30, 2023

The AirTags were donated by the nonprofit Association for a Better New York. The devices will be given out in The Bronx's 43rd police precinct, which has seen a spike in thefts, and other spots throughout the city, officials said.

Adams stressed that NYPD officials will not be tracking vehicles without their owners' permission. Cops will only use the AirTag information once they're contacted about a theft and then receive a go-ahead from owners to look at the AirTag data.

"This is not a centralized tracking system where we are in charge of tracking someone's car," he said.