Car Jacking
Car jacking is car theft directly from the driver. Women need to be aware of these methods for effective self defense.
It is often violent and usually involves a weapon . Sometimes the driver is forcibly yanked from the car and the thief jumps in and drives off. Worst yet, children and infants have been in the car unbeknownst to the car thief.
Car jacking really caught on in the 1980s when the media wrote about stories involving violent car thefts. The phrase “car jacking” was coined and criminals started copying the crime. One could now commandeer a car without damaging it. No worries about anti-theft devices, car alarms or chip-integrated locks and ignitions. Sure the driver and passengers might get roughed-up, but, hey- one could just rob them, too! Bonus!
The National Crime Victimization Survey of 1992-1996 learned that 49,000 jackings and attempted car jackings occurred. Half of them were failed attempts. Of successful jackings 92% had weapons while only 72% were armed during failed attempts. Handguns were the weapon of choice.
These crimes most frequently take place in busy commercial areas were cars are parked, when the driver is entering or exiting the vehicle. 65% occur within five miles of the victim’s home. 92% of the time the victim is alone.
Some of the scams involved are:
The Bump
The jacker will follow you to a suitable location and bump your car to make you think you’ve been involved in a traffic accident. You, as a well trained citizen, will pull over and get out to exchange insurance info and look over the damage. He will then relieve you of your vehicle and his accomplice (frequently posing as a witness) will drive off in his vehicle.
The Good Samaritan
You pull up to an accident scene, there may be an apparent injured party. You get out to help, your vehicle is taken.
The Ruse
The vehicle behind you flashes his lights and/or honks his horn to attract your attention to indicate something is wrong with your car. You pull over and get out and he robs you of your car.
The Trap
If you live in a gated community you pull up to the gate waiting for it to open and the thief pulls in behind you, trapping you.
If bumped from behind or someone tries to alert you to a problem with your car, stop only at a safe, well lit public place. As for an accident, it may be safer to call for help. If you live in a gated community, call ahead to open the gate, or wait in the street until the gate is open.
Back Window Paper
While you are parked in a parking lot a piece of paper is stuck to your back window. You may not notice it until you get in the car, start it, and look back to back out of your parking spot. Noe you see the paper, put the car in neutral, and get out to remove and read the piece of paper. At this point the hidden thief jumps in your car and takes off with it, possibly injuring you as they do.
Other car jacking avoidance techniques:
Park in well lit areas
Use valet parking or escort if available
When approaching your car watch for people sitting in their cars
Watch for loiterers
Look under and all around your vehicle
Unlock and open your door, get in , close and lock the door
Don’t turn your back while loading packages
Follow your instincts
Drive with windows up and doors locked in the city
When at traffic stop, leave enough room in front of you to see the pavement in case you need to maneuver out of traffic
If you are confronted by an armed car jacker:
Give up your keys and/or money if demanded without resistance
Never agree to be kidnapped! Drop the keys, run and scream for help.
If you are forced to drive consider crashing into a busy intersection.
Technology has made stealing cars more difficult. As technology advances it has become easier to find and recover stolen vehicles. Lo-Jack Corp makes tracking devices that help locate the vehicle. SPAL USA offers and anti car jacking system with an identification transmitter that prevent thieves from using the vehicle.
At this time OnStar’s technology with GPS can locate the vehicle and communicate with the operator if it detects a crash. In the near future OnStar will be able to slowly halt the stolen car. It may even be able to speak to the thieves telling them to pullover as they are being watched. The steering and brakes would be unaffected, but there would be no horse power and the emergency flasher would go on.
This would cut way down on high speed chases and save a lot of lives and injuries. Research shows that about 95% of subscribers would like the feature, but some do not like the police having the ability to slow down their car.
In conclusion, car jacking prevention is not just about keeping your car, it’s about keeping you safe. This is a violent crime. Victims usually do not see it coming.
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