Watch CBS News

LAPD Offers Wheel-Locking Devices To Fight East LA Car Thefts

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Residents in two East Los Angeles neighborhoods are fighting off a rash of car thefts with a little help from police.

KNX 1070's Megan Goldsby reports the LAPD want people in Boyle Heights and Lincoln Heights to "Lock it, Hide it, Keep it".

LAPD Offers Wheel-Locking Devices To Fight East LA Car Thefts

Police are partnering with the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council and the Police Advisory Board in response to an estimated 1,000 citizens in the LAPD Hollenbeck Division community who have been victims of auto-related thefts so far this year.

Capt. Martin Baeza said the LAPD will hand out over 500 steering wheel locking devices and thousands of special license-plate bolts that require a specific tool to remove as part of the effort.

In order to be eligible, residents must prove they live in the affected neighborhoods and that they own one of the most commonly stolen vehicles: 1990-to-1995 Honda Accords, Honda Civics, and Toyota models.

"Whether they're being stolen for parts or they're being stolen in the Hollenbeck area, it seems to be just joyriding with minimal stripping," Baeza said.

Raul Vasquez was among those residents who sought to protect their vehicles.

"Someone stole my car two years ago, that's why I'm here," said Vasquez. "I think it's gonna be safer now."

The campaign was scheduled to be rolled out in other LAPD divisions over the next several months.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.