Atlanta Sees Significant Drop in Car Thefts After New Anti-Theft Technology Program

ATLANTA — Atlanta has seen a 22 percent reduction in vehicle thefts over the past six months, a drop that police officials attribute in part to a city-funded program that provides free anti-theft devices to residents.

The program has distributed more than 8,000 steering wheel locks and 3,500 GPS vehicle trackers to Atlanta residents, with priority given to neighborhoods with the highest rates of vehicle theft.

"We are seeing real results," said Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum. "When we make it harder to steal a car and easier to recover one, thieves move on."

Vehicle theft had surged in Atlanta during the pandemic, with the city seeing a 67 percent increase in car thefts between 2020 and 2023. The program is now being expanded to include free catalytic converter anti-theft devices.