Forest Park police are putting some extra metal between local Kia owners and would-be thieves, handing out free steering-wheel locks after viral social-media videos revealed how certain older models can be started without a key. The department is pitching the giveaway as a short-term fix while drivers schedule dealer software updates or other manufacturer remedies. Locks are available at the police station during regular weekday business hours and only for qualifying Forest Park residents.
Program details from the department
According to the Forest Park Police Department Facebook post, the program is open to Forest Park residents who own Kias with traditional key-start systems. The list of potentially affected models includes certain Sorento (2011–2021), Sportage (2012–2022), Optima (2011–2021) and Soul (2011–2021) vehicles. Residents can pick up a free steering-wheel lock Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Forest Park Police Department. Each recipient must show a current driver's license and vehicle registration. The department notes it is partnering with Kia USA to provide the locks.
Why certain Kias are targeted
Some Kia models that use a metal key rather than a key fob do not have an engine immobilizer, which can let thieves bypass the ignition and start the car using simple tools, a technique that spread widely on social platforms. As reported by AP News, videos showing the method, often tagged as the "Kia Boy" or "Kia Challenge," helped fuel a nationwide spike in thefts of certain model years. Police departments have urged owners to use visible physical deterrents while manufacturers roll out official fixes.
Do the fixes help?
Hyundai and Kia have rolled out dealer-installed software updates and physical security kits and have teamed up with law enforcement on outreach clinics, while many police departments have been handing out steering-wheel locks as a temporary safeguard. Industry analysis suggests those software upgrades make a real dent in theft risk: a study summarized by KSAT found that upgraded Hyundai and Kia vehicles saw roughly a 50–53% drop in theft claim frequency compared with non-upgraded ones. Experts still warn that the fixes only work if drivers actually lock their cars and that not every vulnerable vehicle may be fully protected, so old-school visible deterrents remain a smart backup.
How to get one in Forest Park
Forest Park residents can pick up one steering-wheel lock per qualifying vehicle at the Forest Park Police Department, 320 Cash Memorial Blvd., Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Drivers must bring a current driver's license and vehicle registration, according to the Forest Park Police Department Facebook post. Owners who believe their vehicle is affected are also encouraged to contact their dealership to schedule the anti-theft software upgrade or to ask Kia about dealer options; manufacturers and police have been holding clinics to install the update, as noted by AP News. In the meantime, officers recommend the basics: lock the car, park in well-lit spots and keep valuables out of sight to cut the odds of becoming an easy target.
