Home and Business Protection Program - A Retrospective and Vehicle Public Safety

Two plus years after the June 7, 2022 implementation of the Chicago Home and Business Protection Program (HBPP), it feels akin to a perpetual Groundhog Day for the residents of Chicago. Despite the ambitious intentions behind the HBPP, as evidenced by its significant $5.3 million grant aimed at incentivizing residents through rebates for security enhancements such as ring cameras, outdoor lighting, and vehicle trackers, the program's impact on reducing vehicle crimes seems minimal. This observation is particularly relevant in light of recent events reported on October 29, 2024, where Chicago police have been on the lookout for a group responsible for a series of 15 armed robberies and carjackings in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood, as documented by a CBS News report. These incidents underscore the relentless challenge of vehicle hijackings and thefts that continue to plague our community. Despite the HBPP's promise as a transformative initiative symbolizing hope and proactive governance, the reality on the ground for many, suggests a stark underachievement. This shortfall prompts a critical reevaluation of our reliance on local government programs to deliver on their promise of effective solutions that would ensure the safety and security of Chicago's residents.

Bear with me as I take a deep dive for a moment, but this is something you need to know as a Chicago resident: My journey with the HBPP shows that big is not always better. The City, with its 5.3 million dollar grant program, was flawed from the start. The day the program was announced, I went to my alderman's office to ask about the program and how I could participate, and the alderman said, "I don't know anything about the workings of the program." Clearly, Lori Lightfoot pulled a rabbit out of her hat, and very few of the aldermen and women knew about program details. Now the plot thickens. This program was supposed to rely on community organizations for the dissemination of public safety products and information, etc. I am here to report that, after looking for agencies that were a part of the deployment process, I was left as clueless after the program's implementation as I was the day it was announced.

Next, I made it a point to follow up with Noel Reynoso, the Project Manager of the HBPP, which in itself was a challenge; however, I am not one to give up easily. After locating the person of interest, our initial conversations went well. I developed a practice of following up regularly to understand the project's progress, but at that point, I was met with extreme pushback suggesting that I would not be receiving any further information out of that office. My options for learning about the inner workings of the program were now limited, but my next best friend became a FOIA request. Though Noel shut me down, the information I obtained from my FOIA request, filed on April 4, 2023, was revealing. The details that came to light about the Chicago Home and Business Protection Program (HBPP) painted a rather sobering picture. Despite the $5.3 million allocated for the reimbursement program, an alarmingly tiny fraction—specifically less than 1%, totaling $13,204.42—was actually disbursed for vehicle tracking rebates: precisely $8,342.36 for vehicle tracking subscription costs and a mere $4,862.06 awarded to 88 residents for vehicle trackers.

Continuing from the stark revelations about the Chicago Home and Business Protection Program (HBPP), there's one last point to make regarding dealing with a bureaucracy: the city can lose some of its most revered allies in the public safety space. I spoke to one pastor, who shall remain nameless, but this person explained to me after being involved in the early stages of the rollout of the HBPP that they never want to be a part of city programs like this again in the future. What does this say about big city plans, transparency, and how the city does not work as effectively as it could? This sentiment underscores a significant disconnect between the city's intentions and its execution, highlighting a loss of faith among its most crucial partners in achieving community safety and well-being.

Reflecting on the sobering revelations surrounding the Chicago Home and Business Protection Program (HBPP), it becomes evident that the program's execution was not only inadequate in addressing the pressing issue of vehicle theft but also significantly underestimated the community’s needs. This misstep has only reinforced my commitment to seeking out and advocating for solutions that genuinely address the safety concerns of Chicago’s residents, unlike the HBPP, which fell disappointingly short of its promise. The urgent necessity for innovation in vehicle safety—solutions that not only pledge effectiveness but also deliver tangible results—is clearer than ever. Amidst the rampant vehicle thefts and carjackings, the lack of substantial support from rebate programs further emphasizes the critical gap in our current approach to public safety.

This entire experience, along with the challenges encountered in obtaining information on the HBPP's outcomes, underscore the dire need for a transparent, accessible, and effectively administered strategy for enhancing vehicle protection and, by extension, public safety. It paints a rather stark picture of not only the inadequacy of the HBPP but also the overarching challenges of managing such programs in a way that truly serves the community. As we move forward, it is imperative that we learn from these shortcomings and advocate for approaches that not only promise to address public safety concerns but also follow through with actual, measurable results.

The challenge of vehicle theft remains unabated, evolving into an ever-present menace rather than an eroding issue. Recent data shows an alarming 300% surge in car thefts at key locations, like the Atlanta airport. Far more than static figures, these numbers embody the fragility of our personal assets and the underlying erosion of our collective confidence in vehicle safety. Traditional safeguards are proving inadequate against the sophistication of organized criminal operations, emphasizing the need to adopt a multi-faceted, multi-layered security strategy augmented by bleeding-edge technologies which allow you to go on the offense in this fight over one of your most valuable assets, your vehicle.

As the frequency and brazenness of auto thefts intensify, metropolitan areas such as Chicago have resorted to deploying advanced tools like license plate recognition systems (LPRs).. While LPR's represent a step in the right direction, they are not the be-all and end-all in vehicle tracking. Embracing a dedicated and technologically sophisticated tracking solution isn't just an action; it's a proactive leap toward safeguarding our vehicles from thefts and hijackings. In light of this, the need for an innovative resolution has become paramount, underscoring the essential need to not only address but preempt criminal activities. The ever present threat in vehicle carjackings and thefts has catalyzed the development of my company, VK Industrial IoT - VKIIOT, which aims to bring to market cutting-edge solutions using technologies you already own, repurposed in novel and transformative ways. Our mission is to keep you a step ahead of potential threats.

Introducing Our Solution 

Our response to these challenges is a cutting-edge vehicle tracking system, equipped with geofencing technology. This system not only alerts vehicle owners when their car moves beyond set geographical boundaries but also offers real-time, turn-by-turn vehicle tracking in the event of a carjacking. Our unique solution goes beyond mere tracking, addressing the rising threat of carjackings with an advanced notification system that's poised to enter beta testing in February 2025.

Why VK Industrial IOT? 

We've dedicated three years to developing technologies that not only meet but exceed current safety standards. Our system's unparalleled real-time tracking capability, with updates every 10 seconds or less, is designed to offer peace of mind to vehicle owners, ensuring quick response times in the event of theft or unauthorized movement.

Taking Action for Your Safety:

Major airports and cities are starting to employ advanced technologies like license plate readers, but these measures have their limitations. The best defense against organized vehicle theft is a proactive approach - equipping your vehicle with our sophisticated tracking systems. 

Call to Action: Join Our Movement 

As we prepare to launch our beta test in Q1 2025, specifically targeting the Chicago market, we invite you to join us on this journey. Be among the first to experience and contribute to the refinement of a solution tailored to meet modern-day vehicle safety challenges. Sign up for our mailing list to follow our updates and be ready to participate in our beta test. Let's move forward together, ensuring that our vehicles, our mobility, and our freedom are protected by the best technology available.

Secure your future with VK Industrial IOT. Join us now at https://beta.vkindustrialiot.com/subscribe.