ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The Rochester Police Department has received 700 steering wheel locks, they announced Tuesday.
RPD said they secured 200 locks from Kia and 500 from Hyundai, to be distributed for free.
The locks are only for city residents who have Kias or Hyundais made between 2010 and 2020.
Starting at noon Tuesday, the locks will be available at each of the four Neighborhood Service Centers. Each center received roughly 100 locks:
- Northwest Quadrant: 400 Dewey Ave. (About 30 left as of 2:15 p.m.)
- Northeast Quadrant: 500 Norton St. (About 30 left as of 2:15 p.m.)
- Southwest Quadrant: 923 Geneseo St. (About 30 left as of 2:15 p.m.)
- Southeast Quadrant: 320 N. Goodman St. (About 60 left as of 2:15 p.m.)
Supplies are limited. The RPD said they are hoping to get another shipment of additional locks next week.
The remaining roughly 300 locks are being offered to the hundreds of car theft victims in the Rochester area who have had their car stolen since January 1, 2022.
Lt. Greg Bello says more than 400 vehicles have been stolen in Rochester since the beginning of the year. Comparatively, about 1,100 vehicles were stolen citywide in 2022.
Police say this is another step to help put an end to the rise in car theft.
“The number is starting to trend down, and I’m hopeful we can continue that trend down to zero, whether that’s through these locks, public awareness, or software updates [made by the companies] to bring these thefts to an end,” said Lt. Bello.
Meanwhile, the Brighton Police Department is also giving away steering wheel locks for Hyundai owners. Brighton residents are asked to call the department to set up an appointment.
