May 22, 2024, 7:46 AM CST
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GREEN BAY, WI – (WGBW) – Hyundai and Kia owners can receive a free anti-theft software upgrade to their vehicles when the Green Bay Police Department and two automobile dealerships, Bergstrom and Dorsch, offer a clinic on Wednesday, June 5th.
The event will be held at the Automobile Gallery and Event Center at 400 S. Adams Street in Green Bay. Mobile service technicians from each dealership will install anti-theft software upgrades in the back parking lot off South Washington Street.
The process will take about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Pre-registration is required. Anyone in Northeast Wisconsin can register for the upgrade as long as their vehicle is eligible. The deadline to register is May 31st.
Why anti-theft software upgrades are needed
Jennifer Gonzalez, Communications Coordinator for the Green Bay Police Department said that their department has seen an uptick in thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles in the area, prompting them to offer the clinic again.
“So what we’re doing – this is an update that these automakers have been offering for free. But we’re just making it a little easier for people to come in, and get that appointment. So instead of calling the dealership and making the appointment there, we’re having a public event,” said Gonzalez.
The last time the Green Bay Police held the anti-theft software event was in November when they helped to upgrade 75 vehicles in four hours. This year, the event is by appointment only, said Gonzalez.
“We ask that people go to our website, GBPolice.org, to find that registration link. We also have it on our social media at the Green Bay Police Department Facebook page,” said Gonzalez. “But we highly, highly, highly suggest that people check their VIN number through Hyundai or Kia before hand to ensure that they actually are eligible for that upgrade or need that upgrade.”
Gonzalez says only certain makes, models, and years of the vehicles are eligible for the upgrade. She also says that vehicles with push-button ignitions don’t need the upgrade. Green Bay Police Patrol Captain Clint Beguhn said thefts of some Kias and Hyundais started happening on a national level following some social media trends.
“Going back into 2022 there was a bunch of Tik Toks and other social media type posts, basically showing people how to exploit the ignitions of some of these vehicles and be able to just start them and steal them a little easier,” said Beguhn.
In Green Bay, auto thefts increased 75% to 80% in vehicle thefts in 2023 when they had nearly 300 thefts. So far in 2024, Beguhn said they’ve seen over 100 thefts and attempted thefts.
“It’s not just a problem with just the vehicle being stolen. Sometimes the windows are smashed,” said Beguhn “Even if your vehicle is not stolen, they’re disabling it. Or making the ignition system – they’re breaking it – as they try to steal it.”
How to prevent auto thefts
Residents can help deter auto thefts by using common sense approaches and remembering the following key points:
- Make your auto a harder target
- Lock the doors
- Don’t leave keys in the ignition
- Don’t park and leave the engine running
- Park in a safe spot
- Don’t leave valuables in plain sight.
According to Beguhn, the most effective deterrent to auto thefts is a simple, visible tool.
“Using a steering column lock,” said Beguhn. “That’s a device that goes right on your steering column. It’s something that whoever is trying to steal your vehicle is going to see before they even get started. And that’s probably the greatest deterrent to avoid any of that in the first place.”
Gonzalez says that the first 20 Brown County residents who sign up for the anti-theft upgrade clinic will get a free steering column lock from the Green Bay Police Department thanks to a grant from the Brown County Crime Prevention Grant Funding Board.
Beguhn says steering column locks range from $15 to $50 and are available at places like Walmart and Amazon.
Participants will receive a window sticker to place on the vehicle notifying potential thieves that the upgrade was made. Additionally, Gonzalez said the first 20 Hyundai owners and the first 20 Kia owners to register for the upgrades will receive passes to the Automobile Gallery and Event Center.
“Each upgrade will take about 15 to 20 minutes,” said Gonzalez. “But we’re going to hand you that one free pass if you’re one of those first 20 that register. Then you can take those 15 to 20 minutes to walk around inside the Automobile Gallery. So it’s kind of neat”
See the full press release from the Green Bay Police Department below
