Norristown police are stepping in with some old-school hardware after a recent rise in car thefts, a spike they say is hitting Kia and Hyundai owners the hardest. Officers are giving out free steering wheel locks to borough residents as a short-term fix while automakers and law enforcement work on broader, longer-lasting anti-theft measures. Alongside the new gear, police are again stressing the basics: lock your vehicle, take valuables with you or hide them and do not leave a car idling and unattended.
Where to pick up a free wheel lock
According to the Municipality of Norristown, residents can grab a lock at the police records office on the first floor of 235 E. Airy St. The pickup window runs Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Drivers must show a valid license and proof of vehicle registration, and police note that the number of available devices is limited.
Why Kias and Hyundais are being targeted
The local alert mirrors a wider trend in which certain Kia and Hyundai models have been stolen at outsized rates after social-media clips circulated showing how easily some vehicles without engine immobilizers could be started, as reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Police and regional coverage say that visible deterrents like steering wheel locks, along with software upgrades from the manufacturers, have been rolled out in many communities to try to curb the thefts.
How to protect your car
Norristown officers are repeating standard advice in their public posts: lock your doors, take or secure valuables and never leave your vehicle running while unattended. Drivers with affected Kia and Hyundai models are also urged to contact their dealers about free security software updates or retrofit options that are being offered, a step detailed in national coverage from AP News.
Settlement and fixes from automakers
The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General says it joined a multistate settlement that requires Hyundai and Kia to provide hardware and software remedies and to offer restitution to some theft victims, with additional details available from the attorney general’s office. The agreements are intended to ensure that future models come equipped with engine immobilizers and to help cover repair or upgrade costs for eligible current owners.
Norristown police describe the free wheel locks as a practical deterrent while those larger fixes roll out and ask residents to report suspicious activity promptly. The department emphasizes that the devices are available at no cost to Norristown drivers who can show proof of residency and vehicle ownership, while supplies last.
