Carjacking
CarJacking
Car jacking is usually a highly organized crime in which a valuable car may be stolen at gun point. Plan your route carefully, and never stop your car in unfamiliar or lonely parts of the city.
Between 1992 and 1996 an average of about 49,000 attempted or completed carjackings occurred in the United states each year.
Carjacking statistics
Between 1992 and 1996 an average of about 49,000 attempted or completed carjackings occurred in the United states each year.
Urban residents are considered by the US Department of Justice Bureau of Justice statics more likely to experience carjacking than suburban or rural residents.
A weapon of some sort was used in 83 percent of all carjackings.
About 7 out of 10 completed carjackings involved firearms, compared with 2 out of 10 attempted carjackings.
About 16 percent of victims of attempted or completed carjackings were injured. Serious injuries, such as gunshot wounds or knife wounds, broken bones, internal injuries and loss of consciousness, occurred in about 4 percent of all car jackings.
40percent of incidents took place in an open area, away from the victim’s home. eg Near a bus, subway or train station or near an airport; 20 percent occurred in parking lots or near commercial places like shops, restaurants, gas stations and office buildings.
WHAT CAR JACKERS LOOK FOR
Intersections controlled by stoplights or signs
Garages and subway/rail connection parking areas, shopping malls and grocery stores.
Self service gas stations and car washes
drive through ATMS
Residential driveways and streets where there are people constantly getting into and out of cars.
Highway exit and entry ramps or any other place where drivers have to slow their speed or stop.
PREVENTING CAR JACKING
Carjacking is a crime of opportunity, undertaken primarily by gangs in order to raise fast cash.
Such gangs prey on obvious targets in the street and your car may constitute a mobile lure.
Using an advanced alarm system and locking device can deter car thieves that operate on empty parked cars
However car jackers are more ruthless and will target cars and their drivers. Carjackers WILL stalk you and will carefully pick there moment to take possession after singling you out.
The surest way to avoid carjacking is to prevent it happening to plan safe routes and to avoid the situations vulnerable to attack.
A car jacking is far more likely to occur late at night, to a lone driver who is lost or driving through an unfamiliar neighborhood.
AVOIDING CARJACKING
Avoid driving alone, particularly at night.
Keep the car doors and windows locked at all times.
Drive in the middle lane to make your car harder to approach when slowing down.
Beware of “bump and rob” scams
Never stop to assist anyone on the street- call the police instead of getting out of your car.
If someone tells you that you have a flat Tyre or that your engine is on fire, do not get out and look until you are away from this stranger.
Be aware when you slow down at ATMS, Ramp exits and at stop lights.
Defending against carjacking
Falling prey to carjackers can be a terrifying experience. Ultimately your life is worth more than your car and obey the carjackers instructions.
Trying to make a fast getaway in the car could prove extremely dangerous or even fatal because, should you loose control of the car, you could end up in worse trouble or find yourself being shot at.
If you are forced to leave your vehicle at gunpoint, try to stay calm, remembering the key principles of survival on the street, avoiding conflict and antagonism and as soon as the carjackers have left in your car, concentrate on getting away from the immediate neighborhood as safely possible. Avoid those who seem to be seeking to help you as they may be other gang members or other opportunists looking to rob you.
WHAT TO DO IN CARJACKING ATTEMPT
Never argue if the carjacker threatens you with a gun or other weapon – give up your car
Get away from the area as quickly as possible.
Try to remember what the carjacker looked like – sex,race,age, hair, eye details, special features and clothes
Report the crime to the police immediately.