Free anti-theft program most Arizonans overlook
Arizona's Free Watch Your Car Program Could Save Your Ride
Valley residents, here's a free tool sitting right under your nose that could keep your car from disappearing overnight.
The Arizona Automobile Theft Authority runs the Watch Your Car program, a voluntary anti-theft initiative that gives law enforcement an extra reason to check on your vehicle during the wee hours. When you enroll, you receive a reflective decal for your rear window that tells officers your car is not normally driven between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. If police spot your ride cruising during those hours, they can pull it over and verify the driver is authorized to be behind the wheel.
The program also covers vehicles spotted within one mile of the international border at any time of day or night, targeting the pipeline of stolen cars headed into Mexico.
Signing up takes minutes through AZMVDNow.gov under "Other Services." The AATA mails you a decal after processing. There is zero cost.
The timing could not be better. New data released this week shows Arizona vehicle thefts dropped 25 percent in 2025, falling to 12,686 stolen vehicles, the lowest number since the AATA began tracking in 1992. The Chevrolet Silverado topped the most-stolen list with 627 thefts, followed by the Hyundai Elantra and Hyundai Sonata.
Despite the progress, the DPS Vehicle Theft Task Force recovered 1,811 stolen vehicles worth over $41 million last year, proving thieves remain active across the Valley. A recent bust dismantled an organized ring that targeted high-end vehicles from apartment complexes, stripping them for parts sold on Facebook Marketplace.
The AATA also promotes the 9PM Routine: every night, remove valuables, take your keys inside, and lock your doors. Nearly half of all stolen vehicles were left unlocked, and about 20 percent had keys inside.
A free decal and a locked door might be the cheapest insurance you never bought.
Sources: AZ DIFI | Insurance Journal | 12 News | ABC15 | Chandler PD | AZ DPS