FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2023
MARTA PARTNERS WITH KIA,
HYUNDAI TO PREVENT VEHICLE THEFT AT RAIL STATIONS
Social Media “Challenge”
Leads to Spike in Vehicle Incidents
ATLANTA
_ The 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 these 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 these cars without a key. The car
manufacturers will provide 640 steering wheel locks, at no cost to MARTA, to
help deter and prevent these thefts.
“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, this Thursday, May 25 from 4 p.m. to 6
p.m. at College Park Station, located at 3800 Main St., in the east parking lot
near the faregates. Please bring proof of vehicle ownership.
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.
WHAT:
MPD Kia and Hyundai steering wheel lock distribution
Model years 2011-2022
Please bring proof of vehicle ownership
WHEN:
Thursday, May 25
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
WHERE:
College Park Station
3800 Main St.
College Park, Ga. 30337
East parking lot near faregates
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 (TSA) Gold Standard
Award for its security program.
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