DC's Police Force is offering hundreds of Apple AirTag's, here's why
I'm not a big fan of politicians for reasons I'll keep to myself. But when a politician finally does right for the people, you have to give them their credit. With that said, Washington DC's Mayor, Muriel Bower, is proactively taking steps to prevent the high rate of car thefts in the city by implementing a new initiative involving Apple AirTags. The plan is to distribute the tracking device to residents for free to those living in high-risk areas next month.
In the past year, AirTags have gotten negative press mainly because the device nefariously is used to monitor the movements of potential victims of crime. As a result, Apple had to devise several methods to thwart the misuse of the device. Still and all, the DC mayor thinks the AirTag can be helpful for law enforcement to locate stolen cars and other valuable possessions.
The mayor of New York, Eric Adams, implemented a similar AirTag initiative earlier this year, handing out 500 AirTags to residents who reside in neighborhoods with high rates of Hyundai and Kia thefts.
Pamela Smith, the acting police chief, did not confirm how many AirTags would be distributed. However, Mayor Browser stated that the tracking device is inexpensive, costing just $30, encouraging residents to take advantage of this program and purchase at least one AirTag. According to Smith, stolen vehicles planted with AirTags helped law enforcement locate and recover stolen vehicles at a high success rate.
Distribution of AirTags to DC residents is expected to occur from November 7 through November 9, 2023. Anyone who receives the AirTag at the event will have the option to have a DC police officer assist in vehicle installation. The AirTag initiative adds to a series of Anti-theft and theft-prevention measures in which DC has partaken. According to DC's police data, vehicle theft has risen 101 percent in 2022.
The AirTag imitative program is available for residents in Police Areas 106, 501, 502, 603, 605, and 606.
