Tesla owners more vigilant after recent vandalism cases in DC
Kim Harris and her daughter were thrilled when they purchased their Teslas, enjoying the benefits that come with electric vehicles, such as reduced fuel costs and the satisfaction of supporting innovation. Their excitement, however, has been overshadowed by a recent spike in vandalism cases targeting Teslas, linked to political sentiment surrounding CEO Elon Musk's association with the Trump administration. Despite not having had their cars vandalized yet, both Harris and her daughter are now more aware of their surroundings, expressing concern about their safety.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is currently investigating multiple incidents of vandalism classified as "political hate speech," with two suspects identified. Harris acknowledges the frustration people feel about current political issues, but she believes that resorting to vandalism is not an appropriate form of protest. The legal ramifications for such actions can be severe, with penalties for hate crimes, including increased fines and longer prison sentences.
Local law enforcement agencies in surrounding jurisdictions have reported no similar politically motivated vandalism cases involving Teslas. However, the Arlington County Police Department noted a couple of incidents, and the Fairfax County Police Department confirmed one case earlier in the year. These reports highlight that the problem may be concentrated rather than widespread.
Tesla vehicles are equipped with a feature called "Sentry Mode," allowing owners to record footage around their parked cars. This capability could aid in investigations of vandalism. MPD encourages all vehicle owners to ensure their cars are locked when left unattended to minimize risk.
In an interesting twist, some Tesla owners have taken to displaying bumper stickers that read, "I bought this before Elon went crazy," as a humorous take on the situation. Harris has even mentioned that she might consider getting one of these stickers to express her own sentiments about the current events affecting Tesla owners.