ALERT WARNING: Carjacking/Abduction The Latest Violent Crime

Posted on March 2, 2009
Filed Under Carjacking, Fighting back, Pepper Spray, Personal Safety, Personal protection devices, Safety Awareness Training

Ladies - Be Alert And Aware Of Your Surroundings When You Are Shopping At The Local Grocery Store - Shopping Mall, Restaurant - Or Whenever You Are Out By Yourself! There are criminals waiting to catch those who are not paying attention — those who have let their guard down — to attack at the right opportune time! Don’t become a victim of this type of crime!

As if there isn’t enough for law-abiding citizens to be concerned with - a crazy economy, job losses, home burglaries on the rise and home invasion robberies increasing. Now when you go to the grocery store or even the local Target store you have to be more alert and aware of everything around you because there could be someone waiting in the parking lot to carjack your vehicle or worse yet, abduct you!!!

Make your personal safety and security a habit, especially when you are away from home and by yourself. Watch this video as it shows that Carjacking and Abduction crimes are happening more than many of us realize. (If no video appears, go to www.selfdefensewithanattitude.com to watch).

Courtesy of KMBCTV

There have been several abduction attempts and carjacking crimes that have occurred in our small city within the last few weeks. In a city of less than 100,000 people this is definately not a common crime, but it is one that has many people very concerned. Here is one of the recent headlines:

Courtesy of the South Bend Tribune

In wake of abduction attempts, how can shoppers protect themselves?

By Beth Boehne - Story Created: Feb 27, 2009 at 5:57 PM EST

MISHAWAKA — In addition to the abduction of a 19-year-old girl on Tuesday, police want to know if Michael Lindsey is connected to two other attempted abductions earlier in the day. All three of incidents happened in broad daylight, in parking lots.

So we headed to Meijer with Mishawaka police Lt. Tim Williams to see what women were doing right and wrong.

One woman was watching at all times and had her purse by her side.

"It’s next to her, so she has it … she’s not worried about her cart, where it’s going; but she has her purse on her, she’s keeping her purse with her … when she came out she was looking around," Lt. Williams observed.

"Don’t roll your window down," he continued. "If you’re not in your car try and get in your car as quick as possible.

Read the rest of full story at - http://www.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=In+wake+of+abduction+attempts%2C+how+can+shoppers+protect+themselves%3F&expire=&urlID=34459013&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wsbt.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2F40446242.html&partnerID=181031

It Can Happen Anywhere And To Anyone

• Though carjackings can occur anytime, a sizeable 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.

What Do Carjackers Look For And What Should You Do To Avoid Being A Victim?

Areas that carjackers target are: intersections controlled by traffic lights or stops lights, parking garages, shopping malls, grocery stores, gas stations, car washes, ATM machines, residential driveways, highway exit and entry ramps.

Be alert to your surroundings, even when you feel rushed.
When approaching your car, have your key in your hand, and check the back seat before you get in.
If someone is loitering near your unoccupied car as you approach it, keep walking until the person leaves.
Be wary of people asking for directions or handing out flyers. Trust your instincts – if something makes you feel uneasy, get into your car quickly, lock the doors and drive away.
Avoid driving alone. Have someone with you especially at night.
When you come to a stop, leave enough space to maneuver around other cars.
In extreme situations you might even consider going through a traffic light, as long as you can do so without causing an accident.
Don’t stop to assist a stranger whose car has broken down. Instead, drive to the nearest phone or use your cell phone to call the police for help.
If you are driving home and notice someone you don’t recognize loitering, drive around the block and come back after the person has left.
Avoid parking near anything that limits your visibility.
Most importantly – If a carjacker threatens you with a gun or other weapon, give up your car. Don’t’ argue. Your life is worth far more than a car!
If someone takes your car, get away from the areas as quickly as you can. Try to remember what the carjacker looked like and report the crime immediately to the police. You might consider carrying some type of personal protection on your keychain like pepper spray or mace spray, or even a stun gun or TASER C2. As I have mentioned in many of my articles, taking a self-defense or safety awareness training class can teach you what to do and how to protect and defend yourself against these types of criminal attacks. Check with your local law enforcement to see if they have self-defense training classes available.