Philadelphia Police Targeting ‘High-Tech’ Vehicle Thefts

A new campaign titled "Together, We Can Prevent Auto Theft" is set to launch by the Philadelphia Police Department.  The campaign focuses on combating rising vehicle thefts and high-tech theft tactics.

This initiative aims to educate vehicle owners about modern vehicle theft methods, including the use of relay devices and keyless entry hacking. Police officials said they will raise public awareness of the campaign through flyers, workshops, and social media outreach.

In a statement, officials emphasized that the public awareness campaign will focus on installing anti-theft devices and taking precautions to protect key fobs, as well as using additional methods to secure vehicles.

In addition, officers will conduct door-to-door outreach in high-risk neighborhoods.

“Securing your vehicle inside and out is an essential part of the fight against theft," said Philadelphia Police Lt. Brian Geer of Major Crimes to NBC10 Philadelphia. "By preventing unauthorized access to your vehicle and the vehicle's internal systems, we can significantly reduce the risk of thieves exploiting workarounds to a vehicle's security — making our streets safer for everyone."

According to police officials, approximately 14,000 vehicle thefts occurred in 2024. That's a significant drop from the 24,000 reported vehicle thefts in 2023.

Police officials did not confirm when this new initiative will launch. For more information, visit The Pennsylvania Auto Theft Prevention Authority's website.