Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser will hand out FREE AirTags to residents to make it easier to track their cars if they’re stolen as crime spikes in the city
- Mayor Muriel Bowser says residents of areas with the highest reports of carjackings will receive a free tracking device
- Both AirTags and Tile trackers will be distributed for free at events held from November 7 to 9
Washington DC will hand out free AirTags to residents to track stolen cars in light of rising crime.
Mayor Muriel Bowser announced during a news conference that residents of 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 to 9. Residents will be required 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.
“It will also get the word out that this is not a community that comes in and steals cars.”
Mayor Muriel Bowser announced during a press conference that residents of areas with the highest reports of carjackings will receive a free tracking device
The free AirTags work the same as Apple designed them. If a car is stolen, the owner can look up its location in the Find My app on their Apple iPhone. The tag can be installed anywhere in the car and its location is not accessible to the police
During the distribution event, police officers will help install the tags in cars. The tag can be installed anywhere in the car and its location is not accessible to the police.
The free AirTags work the same as Apple designed them. If a car is stolen, the owner can look up its location in 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 audience that dashcams will be distributed to truck and delivery drivers next week for their safety.
Acting Police Chief Pamela Smith did not clarify how many tags will be handed out at the events.
She told the conference: ‘Our carjacking, car thefts and unauthorized use of vehicles are up 36 percent this year compared to last year.
In 2023, car thefts in the DC area are reportedly up 101 percent, with the MPD reporting a total of 5,916 stolen cars and 754 carjackings this year.
Bowser also told the audience that dashcams will be distributed to truck and delivery drivers next week for their safety
Acting Police Chief Pamela Smith did not clarify how many tags will be handed out at the events
New York Mayor Eric Adams announced the distribution of free AirTags a few months ago as a way to help catch car thieves and deter criminals
In September alone, police reported 79 carjacking incidents, which was more than double the number since September 2022.
The announcement comes a few months after New York City Mayor Eric Adams began handing out free Apple AirTag trackers to help combat the increase 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.
It was decided that the 43rd Precinct – which serves the southeast portion of the Bronx-Westchester Avenue, Castle Hill Avenue, White Plains Road and Parkchester – would be the area of focus because it is one of the hardest hit areas with more than 200 car thefts since then. January.
Officials also encouraged city residents to purchase 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.