Older Acura Integras and Honda Civics are targets for theft in Howard County, police said.
Nearly 24 percent of all cars stolen in Howard this year were one of these two models manufactured before 2001.
Pre-2001 models don?t include ignition immobilizer theft-deterrent systems, which require a coded key to start the engine, making them less vulnerable to theft, police said.
Owners also tend to add after-market equipment, makingthem more attractive to thieves, police said. They recommended Civic and Integra owners use anti-theft devices, such as steering wheel locks, GPS recovery systems and electric security systems.
Howard police and the Maryland/D.C. Anti-Car Theft Committee will host a free event on April 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kings Contrivance Village Center in Columbia. Drivers will learn about the “Watch Your Car” program, which allows drivers to display decals to alert police that their car is not normally driven between 1 and 5 a.m.
