Ways To Prevent Car Jacking

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office wants you to get a jump on Carjacking.

What is Carjacking

It is stealing a car by force. Criminals use firearms, knives, or other weapons to force you to give them your car.

Headlines

Carjacking has captured headlines across the country. Statistically your chances of being a carjacking victim are very slim and preventive actions can reduce the risk even more.

Why Is Carjacking On The Rise?

• It is a crime of opportunity, a thief searching for the most vulnerable prey.
• Sometimes it is 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 cars, 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 is easy to buy, steal or barter for guns in this country, and a pointed gun makes a powerful threat. Intense media interest may have created copy carjacking.

Anywhere, Anyone!

• Most local and state criminal codes don't define "carjacking". It is reported as either auto theft or armed robbery. This means that solid statistics are limited on the times, places, and victims. Only recently, the crime of carjacking was made a federal crime.
• Though carjacking 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.

Reducing Your Risk

Approaching 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 your feel uneasy, get into the car quickly, lock the doors and drive away.
• If there is someone near your unoccupied car as you approach it, keep walking until they leave.

On The Road

• Above all, stay alert, notice all foot traffic and persons in other cars while your car is stopped. Be aware of your surroundings.
• Keep your doors locked and windows rolled up.
• When coming to a stop, leave enough room to maneuver around other cars.
• Drive in the center or left lane to make it harder for would-be carjackers to approach your car.
• Do not place valuables purse, wallets, money on the car seat. Place them on the floor or under the front seat.
• Don't stop to assist a stranger whose car is broken down. Help instead by driving to the nearest phone and calling law enforcement to help.

Exiting Your Car

• Park in a well lighted area, near sidewalks or walkways. Avoid parking near dumpsters, woods, large vans or trucks, or anything else that limits your visibility.
• Even if you are rushed, look around before you get out of your car, even if you are arriving home 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 way 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, etc.
• Report the crime immediately to Law Enforcement.

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 are bumped by another car, look around before you get out. Look at the car that rear-ended you and notice who's in it. If the situation makes you feel uneasy, signal the other car to follow you. Drive to the nearest well-lighted, busy area.

Other Rules Of The Road

• Never leave your keys in the car or ignition.
• Always lock your car, even if it is 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 your car in good running condition. Make sure there's enough gas to get there and back with more to spare.
• 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 pick up hitch-hikers.
• If you often drive at night, or alone, consider a citizen's band radio or cellular phone to make it easier to summon help in an emergency.