The Newport Police Department has free anti-theft steering wheel locks available to residents who own a Kia or Hyundai.
The locks are available at the Newport City Building Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To receive a lock, bring a driver’s license showing Newport residency and car registration showing the vehicle is in your name and the make is a Kia or Hyundai.
The locks are a response to videos circulating on social media in the past few months that shows how thieves – dubbed “Kia boys” – can exploit the design of certain vehicles and more easily steal them.
Kia and Hyundai are also offering free software updates that solve the vulnerability. Kia owners can contact the company’s Customer Care team directly at (800) 333-4542 (4Kia) or visit a web portal at Kia Anti-Theft. Hyundai owners can call (800) 633-5151 or check their VIN number at Hyundai eligible vehicles.