MPD handing out steering wheel locks to Kia, Hyundai, Infiniti owners as theft exceeds 10K | Information

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Police Department (MPD) will offer more free steering wheel locks exclusively to Kia, Hyundai and Infiniti owners, the department announced Tuesday.Â

MPD hopes steering wheel locks will prevent more car thefts in the city. Â

As of Aug. 15, 10,162 vehicles had been stolen in the city of Memphis in 2023, nearly double the number of vehicle thefts reported at the same time last year when 5,295 vehicles were stolen, according to MPD.

Hyundais, Kias and Infinitis are the three most stolen vehicles in Memphis.Â

Drivers will be required to present proof of residency within the city of Memphis and proof of their Kia, Hyundai or Infiniti registration to get one of the free steering wheel locks, MPD said.Â

MPD said the locks can be picked up at Austin Peay Station, Crump Station, Bird Station, Raines Station, Tilman Station, Appling Farms Station, Mt. Moriah, North Central Station or Ridgeway Station when facilities are available.Â

MPD has regularly been giving out free steering wheel locks to try to prevent car theft, a crime that has plagued Memphis in 2023.Â

Recently, the department issued steering wheel locks on May 23.Â