Police tackle auto theft with innovative approach

Jan. 13, 2025 - What do Apple Air Tags and auto thieves have in common? One can repel the other through an unconventional program operated by the Lakewood Police Department.

Known as the Lakewood Auto Theft Reduction & Recovery program, this yearlong effort provided residents with a tracking device, which was either an Apple Air Tag for Apple phones or a Tile for Android phones. Participants installed the devices in their vehicles and used the “Find My” app to pair them with their smartphones, allowing them to track their cars' location. Now if their vehicles are ever stolen, residents can voluntarily share the location data with the Lakewood Police Department to assist with the vehicle’s recovery.

The program also provided the participants with a steering wheel locking device known as the Club and small warning stickers for the windows on both front doors of the vehicle, letting thieves know the car has a tracking device.

In its first six months, LATRR helped prevent the theft of more than 1,500 vehicles, and in the one case where a vehicle that was part of the program was stolen, the car was recovered in less than 24 hours – and in good condition. None of the nearly 4,000 cars enrolled during the yearlong program have been stolen since.

During the first phase of the program, Lakewood police assisted residents with installing the tracking devices and pairing them with participants’ phones during appointment slots that residents signed up for online. Calling on technology to manage the appointments, the department used the automated Bookings app. Promoted through the department’s social media, the city’s website and a video picked up by news stations, the program received an overwhelming response of 400-plus appointments submitted in the first week. The department completed about 80 appointments weekly, including during special Saturday appointment events.

In the second phase of the program, residents could pick up do-it-yourself kits that included the tracking device, instructions on how to set them up, the Club and the stickers from the Police Department’s front desk during public hours.

The program was free to participants, thanks to a Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority grant. Another important aspect of the program is that the Police Department cannot access the information from the tracking devices until the participant shares it to protect the participant’s privacy.

The program’s funding ended in June, and the supply of trackers for the do-it-yourself kits has been depleted. Although the one-year program is now over, the success has inspired other agencies in Colorado and the nation including the Aurora Police Department, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Atlanta Police Department to look into starting similar programs.

Zeroing in solutions
When the FBI’s National Crime Information Center data showed that Colorado was the worst state in the country for reported auto thefts, Lakewood Police’s command staff asked the Theft Investigation Team to find a way to reduce the number of auto thefts and increase the chances of quick recovery of stolen cars. The team, which includes a sergeant, five detectives, a civilian technician and a crime analyst, brainstormed and developed the LATRR program, which has since been profiled in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin for other departments to study.

“Auto theft has real and serious impacts for our community. On an individual level, it causes financial hardship and takes away the victim’s transportation,” said Lakewood Police Chief Philip Smith. “It also demands a great deal of law enforcement resources, and it affects premiums we all pay for auto insurance.” 

With both prevention and recovery aspects as goals, the program has been successful in the following ways:

• Only one of the 1,508 vehicles in the first six months of the program was stolen, contributing to measurable success in achieving the prevention goal.
• None of the nearly 4,000 total cars in the yearlong program have been stolen since.
• In the case of the only vehicle stolen in the program, the victim shared the location data with Lakewood Police detectives, and the vehicle was recovered the next morning.
• During the first six months, 359 victims of auto theft were contacted. Of those contacted, 190 joined the program.
• It allowed the department and the community it serves to work hand in hand to reduce auto thefts.
• The Police Department demonstrated its concern for the community and its willingness to reach out in an unconventional way to help residents protect their property.
• Participants showed their enthusiasm for the program while interacting with the detectives during the appointments, and participants encouraged friends and family to join the program.
• The installation events also provided participants with auto theft education, prevention tips, and the opportunity to ask questions. This time spent with the public facilitated a positive relationship between the department and residents.
• The community's response has been overwhelmingly positive. Participants have expressed appreciation for this proactive program, which empowers participants to protect their vehicles with the technology provided.