The Aurora Police Department (APD) aims to thwart the ever-growing auto-theft problem in the area through what it hopes will be a deterrent to car thieves and extra protection for car owners: free steering wheel locks.
Officer representatives will begin issuing the anti-theft devices Monday at the Aurora Police Department Headquarters, located at 15001 E. Alameda Parkway. They will be available for giveaway between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., so residents should have ample opportunity to stop by and pick up their complimentary locks.
There is a catch, however, as these locks are given out on a first-come, first-served basis, with two locks per household limit. Thus, residents are encouraged to arrive early to snag their free safety device before they run out.
How to Get a Free Steering Wheel Lock?
About the actual distribution of locks, APD has put in place a few simple conditions to ensure that locks go to bona fide vehicle owners. Each individual must present two required documents:
- An actual vehicle registration
- Current auto insurance
When these documents are verified, the resident can pick up a lock at the front desk in the police station. Through these measures, APD seeks to discourage any misuse of the security devices and ensure that only those who really need them will be able to get them.
Motor Vehicle Theft in Colorado Rises
Such crimes as vehicle theft are rampant in Colorado, ultimately making it become one of the most high-ranking states in the country where this crime occurs. Things have already gotten bad up to the point that these authorities are becoming more aggressive in trying to combat the trend.
Most police agencies report an increase in car thefts across the state, and the biggest increases are being seen in urban communities such as Aurora. Criminals prey mostly on unattended vehicles or those left vulnerable. That is why car owners must always take precautions.
Carl describes how he hoped to reduce the number of stolen vehicles and send a strong message to potential thieves about the seriousness of car security in the community by distributing free steering wheel locks.
Safety is a concerted effort by the parties involved. Various organizations are included in the partnership to make this initiative successful. APD has proper support from state and federal partners, more so, through the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority-CATPA, a state program that aims at preventing vehicle thefts-an initiative that seeks education, enforcement, prevention.
Aurora police this past Sunday night reiterated the urgency of this project by posting on X (formerly Twitter), reaching out to residents to avail themselves such locks at no cost.
“This crime prevention program is made possible by the state and federal partners, including the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority. Don’t miss out – protect your vehicle and help us keep Aurora safe!” – Aurora Police Department
The authorities have high hopes that this program will reduce the number of vehicle thefts and create a safer environment for the resident.
Which Vehicles Are More Susceptible to Theft?
Although any and every vehicle can be thieved, APD has found certain makes and models that are reported to be stolen most frequently in the vicinity of Aurora. To date, the department has the time on the top ten most stolen vehicles identified in the city:
- Chevy Silverado
- Chevy Tahoe
- Ford F-250
- Ford F-350
- GMC Sierra
- GMC Yukon
- Hyundai Elantra
- Hyundai Sonata
- KIA Motors Optima
- KIA Motors Sportage
Almost all of the pick-up trucks and SUVs on the list thus become alluring targets for crime. In addition, it has been known that some models manufactured by Hyundai and KIA are more susceptible to theft because of security weaknesses officially revealed to have made their cars easier to steal.
The Importance of Steering Wheel Locks
Of course, steering wheel locks have been in existence for a long time; however, they are still among the most effective and affordable means of preventing auto theft. They work through the concept of locking the steering wheel, therefore practically leaving it impossible for anyone to drive the vehicle following its theft without unlocking the steering wheel.
Most car thieves come pretty high-tech now because of what they can do electronically, but a physical deterrent like a steering wheel lock can pose some challenges. Most criminals like to take the easiest routes, and while removing the lock is a tad more effort, the likelihood that thieves will pass up the chance to steal a car increases dramatically.
Further Preventive Measures Against Car Theft
A steering wheel lock would provide much-needed security; however, several other ways can be utilized by a car owner to reduce the risks of theft:
- Always lock your car doors and close all windows before leaving your vehicle unattended.
- Never leave your keys or a key fob inside the car to prevent an easy theft.
- When parking, ensure that you do it in a well-lit area or inside a secured garage whenever possible.
- To add to the above, install a good after-market alarm system and a GPS tracking device.
- Use a vehicle used only for immobilizing its engine from being hotwired.
- Be careful where you park and why you park there, stay away from high-crime areas.
By adopting some of these preventive measures, the chances or possibility of car theft are significantly reduced.
The Response of the Community to the Initiative By APD
Aurora residents are also very grateful for the police department’s efforts to curb the theft of vehicles. Many have even gone online to extol the initiative and share experiences of how auto theft had affected them personally.
Local resident Emily Patterson, who last year had her Hyundai Elantra stolen, has welcomed the newly-formed initiative.
“It’s really scary because a person can steal your car in seconds. I think it’s great that police have free locks, though; that’s one last worry.”
That was also the viewpoint echoed by James Rodriguez, a truck owner, who shared the experience of having his Chevrolet Silverado stolen twice.
“I never thought it would happen to me, but it did—twice. Anything that makes it harder for thieves is a good move. I’ll definitely be picking up one of those locks.”
These are the kinds of incidents that have been stressing the importance of more stringent security measures; a goal which APD wishes this program to achieve in driving residents towards better security awareness.
