With a significant rise in carjackings and car thefts, D.C. officials have launched a new program to curb this trend. As of November, the city recorded nearly 900 carjackings and over 6,000 stolen cars. In response, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a program providing free Apple AirTags to residents in high-theft areas. These tags aim to make stolen vehicles easier to trace.
The program, inspired by a similar initiative in New York City, will distribute AirTags at events in the coming months.
Eligibility is based on residency in specific police service areas, and proof of address is required. Although the quantity of tags available was not disclosed, Mayor Bowser highlighted their affordability, suggesting wider adoption among residents.
Acting Police Chief Pamela Smith referenced successful recoveries of stolen cars equipped with AirTags, underscoring the potential effectiveness of this approach. This initiative comes amidst ongoing concerns regarding the impact of D.C. Council’s laws on juvenile offenders, who currently face lesser sentences for such crimes.