(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, announced that his office will hand out free Apple AirTag trackers to residents in an effort to drive down rampant car thefts.
The new policy will be implemented as a partnership between the Mayor’s Office, the New York City Police Department and the non-profit Association for a Better New York. The AirTags, said Adams, is a way to empower New Yorkers to fight growing crime.
“This simple device, this simple AirTag, hidden in a car at a location that a person is not aware of is an excellent tracking device,” he said. “It’s easy to monitor. The New York City Police Department is going to be putting out a video to explain the use of it. It’s very simple. The charging life lasts a long time and you can see in real time where that vehicle is located.”
We're working hard to help prevent these vehicle thefts linked to a viral TikTok trend.
These @Apple AirTags, donated by @ABetterNY, will help New Yorkers recover their valuable property and put the brakes on this public nuisance in our city.https://t.co/k4V17aRe5W
— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) May 4, 2023
The mayor said the NYPD’s 43rd Precinct will give out 500 tracking devices before announcing the release of an instructional video on how to use the AirTags. It is unclear how or who of the nearly 8.5 million New York residents will receive the AirTags.
“The 21st century calls for 21st century policing,” the NYPD Chief of Department captioned in a Twitter video. “AirTags in your car will help us recover your vehicle if it’s stolen. We’ll use our drones, our StarChase technology & good old fashion police work to safely recover your stolen car. Help us help you, get an AirTag.”
The 21st century calls for 21st century policing. AirTags in your car will help us recover your vehicle if it’s stolen. We’ll use our drones, our StarChase technology & good old fashion police work to safely recover your stolen car. Help us help you, get an AirTag. #GSD pic.twitter.com/fTfk8p4lye
— NYPD Chief of Department (@NYPDChiefOfDept) April 30, 2023
The announcement comes amid a skyrocketing increase in carjackings and thefts in recent months. As of April 23, New York City saw 4,492 car thefts in 2023 alone, a 13% increase when compared to the same period last year. The Bronx, where Adams held the press conference, has seen over 200 car thefts, the New York Post reported April 30.
The Apple devices recently came under scrutiny after stalkers weaponized its easy use to track victims.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, also a Democrat, issued a consumer alert in February 2022, warning New Yorkers of potential bad actors using Apple AirTags to track potential victims.
“Across the country, Apple AirTags are being misused to track people and their belongings to cause harm,” James said. “Tracking people without their awareness or consent is a serious felony and will not be tolerated by my office.”
A family in Oregon alleged that their new BMW vehicle was stolen with the help of the AirTag. The family said that after they purchased the vehicle, their iPhones notified them that an AirTag tracking device was traveling with them. Days later, their vehicle was stolen.
