Airbag Theft Hits Brooklyn, Mamdani Responds

NEW YORK, NY— During the Albany budget hearing, senatorRanker Chan raised alarms over a series of car break-ins in his district, noting that 30 airbags were stolen overnight across two precincts.

Overnight in neighborhoods including Bath Beach, Gravesend, and Bensonhurst, at least 30 cars had airbags stolen, officials said.

Airbags, which can cost $1,000 or more to replace at dealerships, are targeted by thieves because they sell for $50–$200 on the black market.

Mayor Mamdani called the thefts “unacceptable” and assured Chan that the city would investigate and address the rising issue. The mayor emphasized coordination with local law enforcement to prevent further incidents and to safeguard residents’ property.

The trend is part of a broader national problem: insurers estimate that roughly 50,000 airbags are stolen each year in the U.S., with total losses exceeding $50 million, according to a National Insurers Crime Bureau report.

In New York City, the NYPD has flagged similar thefts in multiple boroughs, prompting community alerts and increased patrols.

Airbag thefts are often bundled with other property crimes, and while exact citywide totals aren’t publicly released, January 2024 saw 1,178 vehicles reported stolen across the five boroughs, highlighting an uptick in auto-related crime.