(The Center Square) — The Arlington County Police Department will host two events in April giving away almost $20,000 worth of free steering wheel locks and anti-car-theft devices, in response to a nationwide surge of car thefts.
Giveaways have happened across Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia, Baltimore, a host of Maryland localities, Richmond and Norfolk, as well as in major cities and counties across the country.
Arlington residents have a COVID-19 relief package to thank for the gifts, according to ACPD spokesperson Ashley Savage. Through an American Rescue Plan Act Law Enforcement Equipment Grant, the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services provided more than 1,000 steering wheel locks to the ACPD for distribution.
In Arlington County, almost 90 cars have been stolen so far this year, and the department says that summer is the peak season for car theft. Police departments across the country often attribute the rise in vehicle theft to a TikTok that went viral in 2022, showing viewers how to steal certain Hyundias and Kias. But other cars are being stolen, too.
The most commonly stolen vehicles in Arlington County include Hyundai and Kias, but Toyota Camrys and Corollas, Honda Civics, Accords and CRVs and Chevrolet Expresses are also frequently reported. Owners of these vehicles or those on the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s list of the top 10 most stolen vehicles in 2022 may be eligible for an Apple AirTag. The department obtained 510 tags from a Virginia State Police HEAT (Help Eliminate Auto Theft) grant of more than $12,000, according to Savage.
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments released its annual report on DMV crime for 2022 in October, which included data on car theft in the region.
Of the Council’s Maryland member jurisdictions, the city of Laurel saw the largest increase in motor vehicle thefts. In 2021, the police department received reports of 88 stolen vehicles. In 2022, that number jumped 308% to 359 reports. The Laurel Police Department held an anti-car-theft giveaway in May 2023, where Maryland Kia and Hyundai drivers could pick up free wheel locks.
Bowie experienced the second-highest increase of member jurisdictions, with car thefts more than doubling in 2022 from the previous year. Its police department hosted a wheel lock giveaway in March. Both cities are located in Prince George’s County.
Most Northern Virginia member jurisdictions saw an uptick in motor vehicle thefts of 20-30%. Arlington County’s car thefts increased by 32% (313 to 412) from 2021 to 2022. While Manassas Park had far fewer vehicle thefts than some of its much larger surrounding municipalities, it saw the greatest change, with thefts rising from 14 to 26, an 86% increase, from 2021 to 2022.
