- Mayor Muriel Bowser says residents living in areas with the highest reports of carjackings will receive a free tracking devices
- Both AirTags and Tile trackers will be distributed for free at events held from November 7-9
<!–
<!–
<!–<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Washington DC will hand out free AirTags to residents to track stolen cars in light of the rising levels of crime.
Mayor Muriel Bowser announced in a press conference that residents living in areas with the highest reports of carjackings will receive a free tracking device.
Free AirTags will be distributed at three different events held from November 7-9 and residents will have to show proof of residency and an address that matches the eligible areas.
Bowser said at the press conference: ‘These tags and tiles will help MPD recover stolen vehicles and hold people accountable.
‘The word will also get out this is not a community to come in and steal cars.’
Mayor Muriel Bowser announced in a press conference that residents living in areas with the highest reports of carjackings will receive a free tracking device
The free AirTags will work the same as Apple designed them. If a car is stolen, the owner will be able to look up its location on the Find My app on their Apple iPhone. The tag can be installed anywhere in the car and its location will not be accessible to police
At the distribution event, police officers will help install the tags into cars. The tag can be installed anywhere in the car and its location will not be accessible to police.
The free AirTags will work the same as Apple designed them. If a car is stolen, the owner will be able to look up its location on the Find My app on their Apple iPhone.
An alternative tracking device for Android users is the Tile tracker, which will also be distributed at the same events. They function the same as AirTags.
Bowser also told the public that Dashcams will be given out to truck and delivery drivers next week for their safety.
Read Related Also: High school student allegedly used real photos to create pornographic ‘deepfakes’ of female classmates
Acting police chief Pamela Smith did not clarify how many tags will be distributed at the events.
She said at the conference: ‘Our carjacking, motor vehicle thefts and unlawful use of vehicles are up 36 percent this year over last year.
In 2023, car thefts in the DC area have been reported to be up by 101 percent, with the MPD reporting a total of 5,916 stolen cars and 754 carjackings this year.
Bowser also told the public that Dashcams will be given out to truck and delivery drivers next week for their safety
Acting police chief Pamela Smith did not clarify how many tags will be distributed at the events
NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced the distribution of free AirTags as a way to help catch car thieves and deter criminals a few months ago
The police department reported 79 carjacking incidents in September alone, which was more than twice as many since September 2022.
The announcement comes a few months after NYC Mayor Eric Adams began to hand out free Apple AirTag trackers to help combat the rise in car thefts in the Big Apple.
Mayor Adams said at the time that 500 free AirTag trackers would be distributed to car owners in the city.
The 43rd precinct – which serves the southeast section of the Bronx- Westchester Avenue, Castle Hill Avenue, White Plains Road, and Parkchester – was decided to be the focus area since it is one of the hardest hit areas with more than 200 car thefts since January.
Officials also encouraged city residents to acquire their own AirTags.
The donated AirTags were distributed by the Association for a Better New York (ABNY).
Adams also thanked the NYPD, a move that Bowser also followed at her press conference.
