Introducing a Way to Locate Your Vehicle in Real Time
To help our residents keep track of their valuables, the Metropolitan Police Department will be distributing free tracking tags to residents who live in Police Service Areas 106, 107, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 501, 502, 503, 504, 506, 507, 603, 605, 606, 705, and 708. These tags are tracking devices that will aid in locating and recovering missing or stolen property. Distribution will occur while supplies last — first come, first served.
The initiative launched in early November 2023 and it was well-received by community members in the First, Fifth, and Sixth Districts. In the months since launching, the program has been expanded to additional PSAs. Information about future distributions will be announced on this site.
Future Giveaways
The next giveaway event is scheduled for:
- Friday, March 22, 2024, 4:30-7:30 PM, at Fort Circle Park (800-1100 blocks of Galloway Street, NE). For residents of PSAs 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, and 409.
Eligibility Requirements
- Participants must live in one of the listed police service areas (PSAs). Priority will be given to residents of the targeted PSA at each event; other eligible residents will receive devices if supply exists after residents from the event-specific PSA have been served.
- Participants must have identification card and matching registration showing proof of address in one of the six PSAs.
- Please bring your vehicle to have your device installed on-site by one of our officers.
What's My PSA?
Learn more about the MPD's Police Districts and Police Service Areas (PSAs) using the DCGIS Police Service Area Details map. There, you can enter an address to identify its police district and PSA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of tags are available in the program?
MPD will distribute two types of devices —AirTag and Tile.
Can I choose which type of tag I get?
Yes. You can choose which one works best for your particular technology needs.
I own three cars. How many devices can I receive for free? Can I pay to receive additional tags?
There is a limit of one free tracking device per resident/vehicle. You may not purchase more from MPD.
Do I own the tracking device or is it the property of MPD?
Yes. The device is yours to keep.
I’m selling my car. Can I move the device to another vehicle?
Yes. The device belongs to the resident and can be moved to a new vehicle.
How does the program work?
If your vehicle is stolen, you can log into your account and show the officer where your device is pinging.
Can MPD track my car when I’m driving it?
No. The device can only be accessed by the owner of the device. Participating in the program means you are pledging to share tracking data if your vehicle is stolen at a future date.
What happens if someone steals my vehicle? What steps should I take?
Report it. Call 911 and let the Office of Unified Communications dispatcher know that you vehicle has a tracking device. When responding officers arrive, you will have to provide them with the real-time location of the device.
Who is eligible for the program?
Anyone who lives in the program’s targeted Police Service Areas — currently, PSAs 106, 501, 502, 603, 605, and 606 — is eligible to receive a free AirTag or Tile device for one registered vehicle.
Are motorcycles eligible?
Yes — all motor vehicles are eligible.
Are there other devices that I can use to track my vehicle?
Any vehicle with an installed tracking device will provide information that can aid in locating and recovering missing or stolen property. This includes factory-installed or after-market devices on most major-brand vehicles. Additionally, GPS and Bluetooth tracking services like the ones listed below will also help track vehicles:
- OnStar
- SiriusXM Guardian
- LoJack
- Stargard
- And more
