Jamaica drivers are getting a pointed warning from the NYPD: do not make it easy for thieves to drive off with your car.
The NYPD's 113th Precinct on Thursday urged residents to “safeguard your vehicle,” telling motorists to keep keys and key fobs on them, turn off ignitions, and lock doors and windows every single time they step away from a car. Officers also recommended storing key fobs in secure lockboxes and reaching out to their crime prevention officers for a free security survey.
SAFEGUARD YOUR VEHICLE
- NYPD 113th Precinct (@NYPD113Pct) March 19, 2026
What the precinct is advising
The 113th Precinct's post on X boils the advice down to the basics: do not leave keys in the ignition, lock your doors, close your windows, and walk away with the keys in your pocket instead of in the cupholder.
Officers suggest upgrading your routine a bit too, recommending a high-quality lockbox with a keypad or RFID protection to store spare fobs. The post also reminds residents to report suspicious people or activity around parked cars to 911 and to contact their local Crime Prevention Officer for a free security survey of their home or business.
The advisory went live on March 19, 2026, on the NYPD 113th Precinct's X account, part of a broader push to get ahead of increasingly tech-savvy car thieves.
Why thieves are targeting key fobs
Police and security experts say the playbook has changed. Instead of hot-wiring, thieves are leaning on small signal-boosting "relay" devices and on-site programming tools that can clone or amplify a key fob's radio signal so a car can be unlocked and started without a physical key.
Spectrum News and other outlets have documented how these methods let thieves take vehicles in minutes, often without breaking a window or making much noise.
Local prosecutors have linked stolen fobs and related burglaries to organized theft crews in the region, an issue the Queens District Attorney's Office has flagged in community outreach materials. The 113th Precinct has also previously warned about auto-targeting crimes in Jamaica, as covered in a report on rim raiders hitting Jamaica streets.
How to protect your keys and car
Security experts say a few low-tech moves can make high-tech thieves look elsewhere. Keep key fobs in signal-blocking Faraday pouches or a metal, RFID-protected lockbox, and store them away from doors and windows where relay devices can easily catch the signal. Above all, do not leave fobs in a parked vehicle, even for a quick run into a store.
Industry reporting suggests asking dealerships about anti-theft software updates for vulnerable models and using physical deterrents like steering wheel locks as a backup layer of security. For a free, on-site assessment of home or business security, the city says you can schedule a security survey with your local Crime Prevention Officer via 311, and outlets including Yahoo Autos note that blocking the fob's signal at home is a solid first step.
If you see someone acting suspiciously around parked cars or think your key fob has been taken, call 911 immediately. For non-emergencies, residents can contact the 113th Precinct at (718) 712-7733 or the Crime Prevention Unit at (718) 712-1627.
The NYPD's precinct page lists those numbers along with community resources for Jamaica-area residents; see the NYPD 113th Precinct page for details. Neighbors with questions about locks or lockboxes can also check local retailers for signal-blocking products and compare options before buying.
