Technicians with automaker Hyundai will be in Minneapolis offering free safety upgrades this weekend for owners of certain vehicles that have become frequent targets of theft.
The Minneapolis Police Department issued a press release last week stating that technicians will provide the upgrades this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 10 and 11, in the parking lot of the former K-Mart at 10 West Lake Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Minneapolis has seen an unprecedented rise in auto thefts over the last three years with 6,876 so far this year, which is a 35% increase this year over last year during the same period. And Minneapolis auto thefts are up nearly 72% on a three-year average, according to the city’s crime dashboard.
In March, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison launched a civil investigation into automakers Kia and Hyundai following a “drastic increase” in thefts over what he claimed was a lack of industry standard anti-theft technology.
Hyundai drivers are asked to arrive at the safety update clinic Friday and Saturday in their vehicles on the Blaisdell Avenue South side of the parking lot. A greeter will meet drivers to obtain vehicle information. During the upgrade, drivers can wait in a heated tent with seating and bathroom facilities. Once drivers meet with the greeter, the entire process should take approximately 30 minutes, the MPD press release said.
The location of the Hyundai upgrade clinic at the former Kmart has been the site of public safety concerns recently with several homeless encampments nearby. Two of the nearby camps were evicted about two weeks ago after Metro Transit took the step of temporarily shutting down the bus stop at Lake Street and 1st Avenue South over safety concerns. The stop still remains closed at this time. Over the weekend there was a report of several homeless people with bats blocking the road and threatening people about a block away, as well as other recent reports of robberies and assaults in the area.
This event is open to all Hyundai drivers with affected vehicles. No paperwork or appointment is necessary.
The following models are eligible for the free upgrade:
Accent – 2018-2022
Elantra – 2011-2022
Elantra GT – 2013-2020
Genesis Coupe – 2013-2014
Kona – 2018-2022
Palisade – 2020-2021
Santa Fe – 2013-2022
Santa Fe Sport – 2013-2018
Santa Fe XL – 2019
Sonata – 2011 – 2019
Tucson – 2011 – 2022
Veloster – 2012 – 2017, 2019-2021
Venue – 2020 – 2021
Hyundai vehicles that are ineligible for a security upgrade will receive a free anti-theft steering-wheel lock.
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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
