Vehicle Security and Carjacking Counter Measure Safety Tips.

By Yelena Pawela

Today modern woman is on the constant go, be it the business woman, working mom or house wife, we are a highly mobile sisterhood society.

With so many tasks to complete in an average day, it is not uncommon for a woman to drive an average of twenty five to hundred miles per day, while spending two or more hours a day driving. Since we are so dependent on automobiles this also makes us more vulnerable with regards to our own personal safety.

In the United States one motor vehicle theft is committed every 22 seconds, computed with the fact the automobile is the most common weapon used against a woman for the Car thief, Robber, Car Jacker, Stalker, Rapist or Murder.

Think about it, women are most vulnerable in either the home or the automobile, since the automobile is infact mobile then the car, SUV or van can becomes a possible moving crime scene, making it the ideal weapon of choice for any of the above mentioned predators. So what are the things we can do to insure for our safety when using our cars on a daily basic?

First we should try to modify our vehicle habits and try not to be so predictable, Examples of this would be changing times you left your home or office. Very the route you take to your home, office, or children's school. Since we are creatures of habit we most often have predictable behavior which is what criminals often capitalize upon. By modifying our daily routines this would make it harder for anyone to establish a pattern on us thus making a criminal's job more difficult. Besides the obvious of vehicle security, like remembering to take your keys out of the ignition, keeping the doors of your car locked, investing in good cars, and parking in safe locations.

Probably the most important and yet most neglected area is to make sure your automobile is in good running order and is properly maintained. By simply checking all your car's fluids, oil, transmission, insuring the window wipers and tires are serviceable; check all your windows and doors, insurer they are in working order, that they close properly and lock. It is a good idea to have it in your car a first aid kit, a spare tire repair kit, flashlight, raincoat, blanket, jumper cables, and a plastic gas can. Also you should have a tool kit to change your spare tire, and know how to use it. Most modern cars are generally reliable, but you should insure that your car is maintained to minimize the car from breaking down.

When using a car, have a working cell phone handy complete with spare battery. Not only can cell phones be used for calling 911 in emergency situations, but they can also be used as a tracking device. Several cases have been documented where women we're abducted and put into trunks of the kidnappers. The victims were able to call 911 dispatchers, who notified police which worked with the PCs technicians in tracking the victims and their kidnappers.

Try to keep a full tank of gas at all times. Don't stop and ask for directions in unfamiliar areas, plan your root in advance. Try to have at least two or more good maps to the location where you are going. Common danger zones that can make one vulnerable to a potential carjacking and vehicle attack are:

1- The site- An area which is out of view from any potential witness.
2- Any location where you could be blocked in four have no room for escape, to include any place that you would be expected to slow down or stop.
3- Pretending to be in need, an example of this is a predator pretends their vehicle is broken down or out of gas is a common ploy for a carjacker.
4- Hours of darkness- Most carjackings occur between 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
5- Most carjackings occur within 5miles of your home.
6- Type of car that fits the profile of the most commonly stolen.
7- Traveling alone.

Any of the above, combinations could put you at a higher risk of a carjacking. Try to keep in mind what the carjacker is after 1) a working car, 2) with keys in it, 3) little or no resistance 4) the ability to get away. By using some simple preventative countermeasures we should be able to stay out of harm's way with relative ease.

Advice on parking and recommended suggestions:
1) Park the car facing out. By backing a car in, this makes it easier to make a faster escape by moving forward.
2) Park at the end of a row. This eliminates hiding places for would be criminals and also allows for the car to be more maneuverable.
3) Try to park away from other cars.
4) Try to park directly under over head lights.
5) Try to park in the view of a visible surveillance camera.
6) Try to park in view of an attendance booth if possible.
7) If you must park in a parking garage remember where you parked, write down the section or number where you parked.
8) Try to park near employee parking or as close as possible.
9) Avoid corners or spots where your car is observed from any type of terrain or obstructed by trees or bushes.
10) If working late try to arrange an escort to walk you to your car.

When approaching your car:
1) Gets in the habit of limiting what you have in your arms and hands,
2) Many women make the mistake of carrying stacks of items to their cars,making it impossible to defend themselves or escape if needs be.
3) If you're going to have something in your hands, it is recommended the keys to your car should be in your dominant hand, and your non-dominant hand should have some sort of protective device, like pepper spray, tactical light, impact pool, etc.
4) If you have a lot of items to put in the car like luggage, a brief case, or items purchased from the store, it is recommended you approach the passenger's side first. A criminal would expect a woman to go to the driver's side door first.
5) When walking up to the automobile you should always check the surrounding area of the vehicle, pay particular attention for wire for string which might indicate that the car has been tampered with.
6) Look for clumps of dried dirt that have dislodged from under the vehicle.
7) After checking the area around the vehicle, the vehicles exterior itself should be checked, looking for misaligned doors, windows, or partially opened trunk lids and hoods.
8) A final 360° check of the area should be done, which only takes a matter of seconds.

Driving away
1) Start the car without delay.
2) Lock the doors immediately.
3) Get the car moving.
4) Put your safety belt on as soon as the car has moved a considerable distance from where it was parked.
5) Teach loved ones how to check cars for safety measures.

Other safety tips

1) Keep all briefcases, back packs, carry bags out of view at all times, these make excellent targets for smash and grab for thieves.

2) Do not display membership of police or gun organizations anywhere on your car, criminals will automatically assume there are weapons in your car and try to break in.

3) Try to have a spare cell phone, knife, and or flashlight in the trunk of your car, if you are overpowered and become abducted these items may aid in your escape.

Women in today's modern times can no longer assume they live completely in a safe free society. The days of thinking people who take safeguards to protect themselves as being over paranoid are over. All one has to do is take a look at today's headlines to realize our attitudes, habits of lifestyles, and levels of awareness have to change to ensure our daily survival.

 

Personal Security Questionnaire for yourself

Carjacking Facts

Top Ten Stolen Vehicles

(Statistics provided by National Insurance Crime Bureau)

 

Cities with the Highest Vehicle Theft Rates

Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau

Information Sources

Executive Safety and International Terrorism
A Guide for Travelers
Anthony J. Scotti
Prentice Hall books

"Kidnapping, How to Avoid it, How to Survive it" Clandestine Tactics and Technology Tactics and Countermeasures (The International Association of Chiefs of Police Inc.)

Editor's Note: Yelena is a former Russian police and SWAT officer who has defended herself multiple times, both with and without a firearm. Yelena now offers instruction here in the US. Learn more about her courses at www.ytraining.com. She has graciously given us this article in what we hope will be the first of a series. E-mail me with your thoughts and I will send them along.

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