The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Police Department (MPD) is partnering with car manufacturers Kia and Hyundai to provide steering wheel locks to car owners after an increase in incidents involving Kia and Hyundai vehicles while parked at rail stations. Police nationwide noticed a spike in thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles after a post on social media showed how to start those types of vehicles without a key. The car manufacturers will provide 640 steering wheel locks at no cost to MARTA.
“MARTA has experienced a significant decrease in crime over the past few years, so when we saw an increase in theft and vandalism of Kia and Hyundai vehicles, we worked to determine the cause and quickly implement this deterrent,” said MARTA Deputy Police Chief Willie Davenport.
MPD officers will distribute the steering wheel locks to MARTA patrons who own a Kia or Hyundai model year 2011 - 2022, on May 25 at College Park Station.
MPD reports 17 incidents involving Kia and Hyundai vehicles since the beginning of the year, two occurring this past weekend. Other Metro Atlanta law enforcement agencies are also reporting an increase in thefts of Kia and Hyundai cars and have launched similar steering wheel lock giveaways.
Kia and Hyundai car owners who regularly park at any MARTA rail station can also expect a flyer on their windshield in the coming days with information on how to claim a wheel lock.
Distribution of the wheel locks is part of MPD’s commitment to reducing crime on the transit system. In the past two years, MARTA has seen a 17 percent reduction in Part 1 crimes (violent and property crimes), specifically a 32 percent reduction in robberies. Additionally, MPD boasts an 87 percent clearance rate for robberies, meaning a criminal was arrested, charged or turned over to the court system for prosecution.
MPD also recently achieved state law enforcement certification, a complex process established to ensure agencies are held to the highest standards of safety and was awarded the Transportation Security Administration Gold Standard Award for its security program.
