Police in Colorado are using a common piece of technology to help track stolen cars and prevent thefts. The Arvada Police Department, located about 30 minutes northwest of Denver, handed out free Apple AirTags and Tile devices to residents during a recent giveaway.
Each AirTag and Tile device includes a sticker warning to potential thieves: This vehicle is equipped with a GPS tracker.
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What do vehicle theft numbers look like in Colorado?
Data shows Colorado ranks among the top 10 states for motor vehicle theft in the U.S., with nearly 34,000 vehicles reported stolen in 2023. While officers have successfully recovered more than 22,000 of them, the new trackers could help law enforcement reach a 100% clearance rate while reducing thefts altogether.
If a car equipped with one of the trackers is stolen, the Arvada Police Department’s website says residents can share the vehicle’s location, allowing officers to quickly recover it.
What’s the fine print?
Officials emphasize that officers will never have direct access to the GPS information, and each tracker is handed out with no obligations. The AirTags, which retail for about $30 each, gained widespread attention in 2021 for their ability to track stolen items, from luggage to presidential campaign signs.
However, AirTags have also drawn criticism for their potential misuse in stalking. Apple has implemented additional security measures to protect individuals from being tracked without their consent.
Police departments in Washington, D.C., and New York have already adopted similar technology, relying on GPS trackers like AirTags to help recover stolen vehicles. The trend is catching on as cities across the country look for new ways to combat theft.
