Law enforcement agencies are hoping a new partnership with Hyundai will help address vehicle theft in Puget Sound.
TACOMA, Wash. — Tacoma Police Chief Avery Moore shared a sobering reminder of the consequences of vehicle theft on Thursday, March 14.
“Back in August, I had a detective that works for the Auto Theft Task Force, that was shot in the line of duty actually trying to pursue auto theft suspects,” he revealed.
Now, new technology could help stop these crimes from happening.
Hyundai announced that new software is available for its vehicles to prevent them from being stolen, and clinics will be set up to install this software for free starting Friday. Here are the locations where drivers can visit these clinics over the weekend.
Tacoma Dome: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Factoria Mall Bellevue: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
Doug’s Hyundai (22130 Highway 99, Edmonds): 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Robert Larson Hyundai (7601 South Tacoma Way): 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
“If anyone has a 2011 through 2021 Hyundai vehicle that has a turn key to start ignition system, we wanna see you at one of these event sites this weekend,” said David Vandelinde, vice president of Hyundai’s Campaign Completion and Safety Clinics.
The two clinic sites will be at the Tacoma Dome and the Factoria Square Mall in Bellevue. No appointment is needed to get the software installed.
The auto company said the software debuted last February, and began hosting clinics around the country last July to give Hyundai owners who don’t live near a dealership a chance to install the software.
Hyundai representatives said the clinics have installed the software in more than a million vehicles across the US, and it’s already made an impact.
“We are starting to see a decline in auto theft. We’re getting good feedback,” Vandelinde said. “Governor Hochul of New York made a very positive comment about crime going down in New York. … Chicago also has reported back to us that they’re seeing a very positive decrease in the crime rate.”
Numbers from the FBI show that by 2022, Washington held the second highest rate of vehicle theft in the country.
Law enforcement agencies across the region said vehicle theft has spiked since videos outlining how to steal Kias and Hyundais emerged on social media.
The Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force says 40,941 vehicles were stolen across Washington last year.
Police chiefs are hoping this new partnership will be the start of a much needed change.
“I’m happy that Hyundai is doing this, I think it will help curb some of the issues, but it’s not the end all be all,” said Wendell Shirley, chief of the Bellevue Police Department. “I hope we continue to do these types of things so that folks can get their cars fixed and not have to incur such a loss of their cars being stolen.”
