Carjacking


Carjacking

Carjacking, stealing a car by force, has captured headlines across the country. Statistics for Fort Worth show that between the period of July 1, 1992 thru December 31, 1992, there were 155 carjackings, with guns used as the weapon in 83 of those offenses. The most active days were Thursday thru Sunday, with the most likely times being between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. The most common location for the carjackings is at stop signs or traffic lights. The next most common location is convenience store parking lots, with the victim using the pay phone, coming out of the store, or pumping gas. The third common location is residential driveways.

Although carjackings have received a great deal of attention, your chances of being a victim are slim. Some reasons that carjacking may be on the rise are:

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.

Some windows of opportunity that carjackers look for include 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 (automatic teller machines); residential driveways and streets as people get into and out of cars; and highway exit and entry ramps, or anyplace else that drivers slow down or stop. The following tips for preventing carjacking came from the National Crime Prevention Council. These are common-sense tips that can be used not only for carjackings, but also for other crimes such as auto theft, rape, and robbery.

Getting into your vehicle:

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 partway, 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 the police to help.

Getting Out of Your Vehicle:

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.

Other Rules of the Road:

Never leave your keys in the car or ignition.
Always lock your car, even if it's in front of your home.
Copy your tag number and vehicle identification number (VIN) on a card and keep them with your driver's license. Keep the registration with you, not in the car.
Keep the keys to your home and car separate.
Keep your car in good running condition. Make sure there's enough gas to get there and back.
Avoid parking in isolated areas with little foot or auto traffic. Be especially alert in unattended lots and enclosed parking garages.
If you think someone is following you, drive to the nearest police or fire station, open service station, or other open business to get help. Don't drive to your home.
Don't pick up hitchhikers. Don't hitchhike yourself.
If you often drive at night, or alone, consider a CB radio or cellular phone to make it easier to summon help in an emergency.
A common trick that carjackers use is bumping your car lightly from behind. If this happens to you and you're suspicious---don't get out of your car. Signal to the other driver and go to a police station or to a busy, well-lighted area.

Carjacking

Although carjackings have received a great deal of attention, your chances of being a victim are slim. Some reasons that carjacking may be on the rise are:

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.

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.

Keep your doors locked and windows rolled up (at least partway, 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 the police to help.

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 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.

Never leave your keys in the car or ignition.

Always lock your car, even if it's in front of your home.

Copy your tag number and vehicle identification number (VIN) on a card and keep them with your driver's license. Keep the registration with you, not in the car.

Keep the keys to your home and car separate.

Keep your car in good running condition. Make sure there's enough gas to get there and back.

Avoid parking in isolated areas with little foot or auto traffic. Be especially alert in unattended lots and enclosed parking garages.

If you think someone is following you, drive to the nearest police or fire station, open service station, or other open business to get help. Don't drive to your home.

Don't pick up hitchhikers. Don't hitchhike yourself.

If you often drive at night, or alone, consider a CB radio or cellular phone to make it easier to summon help in an emergency.

A common trick that carjackers use is bumping your car lightly from behind. If this happens to you and you're suspicious---don't get out of your car. Signal to the other driver and go to a police station or to a busy, well-lighted area.

REMEMBER, IF YOU ARE THREATENED----GIVE UP YOUR CAR. YOUR LIFE IS MORE IMPORTANT