Wauwatosa Police Seek Anti-Theft Devices For Hyundai, Kia Owners

WAUWATOSA, WI — The Wauwatosa Police Department is working to get steering wheel locks, sometimes called “The Club,” for Kia and Hyundai owners who live in the city.

"The department is currently working to secure steering wheel locks for future distribution to members of our community that drive specific vehicle models of Kia and Hyundai," Wauwatosa Police Sgt. Abby Pavlik told Patch. "If a person is the victim of motor vehicle theft, they should contact us immediately."

Hyundai and Kia models are stolen disproportionately more often than other cars because they aren’t equipped with an engine immobilizer, Pavlik said.

“Our officers have increased patrols in the neighborhoods and we are using data to track any related trends,” Pavlik said. “We have also made several public service announcements informing the community about this trend.”

Police shared these tips for car owners in Wauwatosa:

• Always take your keys with you.
• Never leave your car running unattended.
• Close and lock all windows and doors when parked.
• Don't leave valuables in a car, especially if they can be seen from outside.
• Park in well-lit areas or places with video monitoring.
• Install an anti-theft system such as a horn alarm, steering wheel lock, immobilizing device or vehicle recovery system.

The Milwaukee Police Department is working with the car companies to hand out free wheel locks to car owners who live, work or attend school in Milwaukee, the Journal Sentinel reported.

Between July 9-15, 11 cars were taken from parking lots or stolen from residents’ driveways, according to police department records. Eight of these cars were either a newer model Kia or Hyundai. Prior police logs have echoed the trend.

The Wauwatosa Police Department reported a 244 percent increase of car thefts this May compared to May last year.