Since campus safety’s steering wheel lock program started Sept. 9, only 60 locks have been claimed as of Sept 15. 

This update comes from a statement provided by Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety at Cal State LA, Larry Bohannon.

Public Safety had a total of 500 locks to distribute, and Cal State LA students just need to provide their student ID and car registration to receive their free lock.

Bohannon told the University Times both Kia and Hyundai car manufacturers partnering with Public Safety directly.

“At the moment, the program has not been set to occur annually,” Bohannon said. “But we will maintain our partnership with the manufacturer as a continuing resource.”

The partnership and program comes at a time when the car models eligible have been targeted with thefts.

The program, while new to Cal State LA, is being implemented in police departments across the country to prevent further thefts inspired by TikTok trends that have been targeting the Kia and Hyundai models between the years of 2010-2021.

The effort to educate and inform drivers is falling on the shoulders of police stations across the country. On Hyundai’s website and Instagram, no mention of the faulty vehicles is made, and features the posts from the newer models it manufactures. 

Public Safety at Cal State LA said that Hyundai will be releasing more information on how to secure the vehicle soon.