The Stafford Township Police Department is pleased to announce that we have partnered with car manufacturers Kia and Hyundai to provide free steering wheel locks to car owners after a nationwide surge in thefts involving these vehicles.
Throughout the country, police have seen a spike in thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles after a social media post showed how to start these cars without a key in as little as 20-30 seconds. The problem was further magnified after viewers, mostly teenagers, were encouraged to steal Hyundai and Kia vehicles and upload videos of dangerous joyrides and other exploits to social media.
The car manufacturers have provided our department with a limited number of steering wheel locks, at no cost, to distribute to residents in an effort to help deter and prevent these thefts. STAFFORD RESIDENTS who own an affected model Kia or Hyundai can register for their free steering wheel lock at https://www.staffordnj.gov/688/Steering-Lock-Giveaway-Program.
Residents will be required to provide proof of residency and vehicle ownership.
Affected vehicles include:
·2015-2021 Hyundai Accent, Elantra, Kona, Santa Fe, and Tucson
·2015-2018 Hyundai Veloster
·2015-2021 Kia Forte, Optima, Rio, Sedona, Soul, and Sportage
·2015-2016 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sorento
Over the past several weeks, vehicle thefts in Stafford Township and the surrounding areas have been on the rise, many of which have occurred to vehicles that have been left unlocked and with the keys/key fobs in them. The Stafford Township Police Department will continue to proactively address this issue with programs such as these, and with our #9PMROUTINE Initiative. We strongly urge residents to lock your car doors and take your keys/key fobs and valuables inside with you.
Also, if you see something - say something. Our officers are available 24/7 and only a phone call away: (609) 597-8581 for our dispatch center and #911 for emergencies.