ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rochester Mayor Malik Evans says his administration is taking action following the recent reports of vehicle thefts and smash-and-grab robberies in the city.

According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, more than 400 Hyundais and Kias have been reported stolen in the county since October 2022. Police say the brands are being targeted due to a vulnerability in older models and viral videos on social media.

Evans addressed the outbreak during a Rochester City Council session on Thursday and proposed a multi-pronged approach to stopping the thefts. He says residents with these vehicles need to be proactive, reach out to police and obtain a steering wheel lock. The mayor also says Kia and Hyundai need to make things right. He believes that will happen in the near future.

Evans is demanding parents and guardians of young people get involved because police say many of the reported thefts of these vehicles involve teens.

"They are kids," said Mayor Evans. "They are babies — 13, 14, 15. They are not known to the police. They are not known criminals. They are individuals who are engaging in behavior that is not good and we need to get ahead of that."

The mayor is seeking policy changes that negatively impact people whose cars are stolen. He's calling for fees at impound lots to be waived for those individuals.