Brockport, N.Y. (WHAM) — Efforts are continuing to prevent the recent rash of car thefts we’ve seen across Monroe County and the rest of New York state.

The Car Theft Prevention Act, a bill recently introduced by NY State Senator Jeremy Cooney, would give judges more discretion with bail or remanding a suspect to custody in cases involving stolen vehicles.

MORE: Hochul announces plan to crack down on car thefts in Rochester

Cassidy Hayward was one of roughly 70 drivers who picked up a free Kia steering wheel lock during a handout event at SUNY Brockport Friday.

“I am a little bit concerned, just because my car does fall in the range that they gave us for the year, make and model,” Hayward said.

Hayward, who owns a Hyundai Sonata, worries she could be targeted by thieves one day.

“One of my coworkers had her Sonata stolen recently, so it’s been on the brain,” she said.

According to Cooney, car thefts in Monroe County jumped 345 percent in 2023. In Rochester, that number increased by a staggering 829 percent.

MORE: More than 3,000 car thefts in Monroe County this year; task force releases progress nearly two months after forming | Local car theft victim reacts to state’s new auto theft prevention plan

While Cooney’s new bill would help judges have more power in these cases, police said preventing the issue can start with helping drivers like Hayward.

“We put it out on our social media and reached out to anyone in the community, anybody that could provide verification of a 2011 or an even newer vehicle Kia or Hyundai – even though Hyundai is the one we partnered with – and we will provide a lock to them,” said Lt. James Barnes of the SUNY Brockport Police Department.

MORE: City of Rochester to sue Kia, Hyundai amid surge in car thefts

Hayward said the new lock will provide her a peace of mind when she leaves her car.

“It’s nice to have a police department on campus who’s willing to provide these things for us, and be considerate and cognizant of the issues around campus and around our area,” she said.

The Car Theft Prevention Act is currently in the committee review stage. Cooney said the legislation came directly from neighbors across Rochester who were asking for help with the issue.

MORE: Stolen Kia crashes into home on Ferncliffe Drive; shots fired in area | Stolen Kia driven into Rochester smoke shop | Three Kias stolen from Bob Johnson dealership in Henrietta

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