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 Carjacking
Defense
Related Pages
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arjacking - stealing a car by force - has captured headlines across
the country. Statistically your chances of being a carjacking
victim are very slim, and prevention actions can reduce the risk
even more.
Why is Carjacking a Problem?
No one knows for certain, but some explanations include:
- It's a crime of opportunity - a thief searching for the
most vulnerable prey. Sometimes it's the first step in another
crime.
- For some young people, carjacking may be a rite of passage,
a status symbol, or just a thrill.
- Cars, especially luxury ones, provide quick cash for drug
users and other criminals.
- Sophisticated alarms and improved locking devices make it
harder for thieves to steal unoccupied cars.
- It's easy to buy, steal, or barter for guns in this country.
And a pointed gun makes a powerful threat.
- More teens and adults commit crimes of violence than ever
before.
- Intense media interest may have created "copycat" carjackers.
Anywhere, Anyone
Most local and state criminal codes don't define "carjacking."
It's reported as either auto theft or armed robbery. This means
that no solid statistics exist on time, place, and victims.
- Though carjackings can occur anytime, a sizable share appear
to take place during the late night hours.
- Carjacking isn't just a problem in large cities - it happens
in suburbs, small towns, and rural areas.
- Carjackers look for opportunity. They don't choose victims
by sex, race, or age.
Golden opportunities: what do carjackers
look for?
- Intersections controlled by stop lights or signs.
- Garages and parking lots for mass transit, shopping malls,
and grocery stores.
- Self-serve gas stations and car washes.
- ATMs (automated teller machines).
- Residential driveways and streets as people get into and
out of cars.
- Highway exit and entry ramps, or anyplace else that drivers
slow down or stop.
The "Bump and Rob"
It works like this. A car, usually with a driver and at least
one passenger, rear-ends or "bumps" you in traffic. You quickly
get out to check the damage and exchange information. Either the
driver or one of the passengers jumps in your car and drives off.
If you're bumped by another car, look around before you get out.
Make sure there are other cars around, check out the car that's
rear-ended you and who's in it. If the situation makes you uneasy,
memorize or jot down the car's tag number and description; signal
the other car to follow you. Drive to the nearest police station
or to a busy, well-lighted area. If you do get out of the car,
take your keys (and purse or wallet if you have one) with you
and stay alert.
Reduce Your Risk
Getting In to Your Car
- Walk with purpose and stay alert.
- Approach your car with the key in hand. Look around and
inside the car before getting in.
- Be wary of people asking for directions or handing out fliers.
Trust your instincts - if something makes you feel uneasy,
get into the car quickly, lock the doors, and drive away.
On the Road
- Keep your doors locked and windows rolled up (at least part-way,
if it's hot and you don't have air conditioning), no matter
how short the distance or how safe the neighborhood.
- When you're coming to a stop, leave enough room to maneuver
around other cars, especially if you sense trouble and need
to get away.
- Drive in the center lane to make it harder for would-be
carjackers to approach the car.
- Avoid driving alone. Go with someone whenever possible,
especially at night.
- Don't stop to assist a stranger whose car is broken down.
Help instead by driving to the nearest phone and calling police
to help.
Getting Out
- Park in well-lighted areas, near sidewalks or walkways.
Avoid parking near dumpsters, woods, large vans or trucks,
or anything else that limits your visibility.
- Never leave valuables in plain view, even if the car is
locked. Put them in the trunk or out of sight.
- Try to park in a garage with an attendant. Leave only the
ignition key, with no identification.
- Even if you're rushed, look around before you get out and
stay alert to the surroundings.
If It Happens to You...
- If the carjacker threatens you with a gun or other weapon,
give up your car. Don't argue. Your life is worth more than
a car.
- Get away from the area as quickly as possible.
- Try to remember what the carjacker looked like - sex, race,
age, hair and eye color, special features, clothes.
- Report the crime immediately to the police.
Take Action
- Work with Neighborhood Watch groups, law enforcement, automobile
club, and other concerned groups to get the word out about
carjacking prevention. Try a special flier, a community forum,
posters.
- Make sure that driver education classes talk to teens about
preventing carjacking and other auto theft.
- Call the local radio station and ask the manager to air
carjacking prevention tips during commuting hours.
- Ask your insurance agent or company to put carjacking and
other auto theft prevention information in notices and bills.
- Enlist parking lot owners, shopping mall security, and transit
authorities to print and distribute educational materials
with carjacking prevention tips.
- Place carjacking prevention fliers or brochures in the waiting
rooms or dealer service departments, auto repair shops and
gas stations.
- Ask your state's Motor Vehicle Administration to display
carjacking and auto theft prevention advice - posters, handouts,
etc.- in its offices and distribute prevention tips in all
mailings.
source:
| Information
listed here is believed to be current at the time of publication.
However, some of the material presented here may have expired
since it was posted. Persons should contact a Philadelphia Police
representative whenever relying on dated material or information
that is subject to change. |
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