Supervisors pass rental‑car notices and barcode limits and advance measures to fight car break‑ins

The Board of Supervisors on Sept. 19 unanimously approved two measures aimed at reducing vehicle break‑ins involving tourists and residents: an ordinance requiring rental‑car companies to provide written disclosures urging customers to remove valuables and lock doors, and an ordinance restricting visible barcodes and advertising on rental cars. Both passed on first reading.

Supervisor Norman Yee, the legislation’s sponsor, said rental‑car disclosure and vehicle marking reductions are intended to reduce tourists’ risk of auto break‑ins. "Our unsuspecting tourists are easy targets," Yee said, noting that the city had seen a rise in break‑ins in tourist areas and reporting preliminary declines after signage campaigns. He added that the rental industry participated in negotiations and has agreed to the changes.

Separately, supervisors Yee, Ronan and others signaled plans…