Pictured: Muhsin Muhammad, Mary Muhammad, Renee Ferguson, Investigator Brian Fountain, Clarenda Webb, Bryan Ferguson

In response to concerns about carjacking in Detroit, Detroit Police Department (DPD) Investigator Brian Fountain, US Attorney Jeanine Brunson, and DPD Sergeant Vernal Newson gave a very insightful carjacking prevention presentation at the February Neighborhood Safety Meeting. More than 100 community members attended. Here are some key takeaways.

US Attorney Jeanine Brunson

  • Carjacking is a federal crime if the car crossed the state line? (I.e. if it was manufactured outside of Michigan)
  • Carjacking is a federal crime that comes with lengthy prison sentences.
  • Numerous law enforcement agencies have been working together to combat the carjacking problem that we have.

Investigator Brian Fountain

  • Always be alert and pay attention to where you are going.
  • Always keep your car doors locked.
  • If you feel like you are being followed late at night, go to the nearest police station.
  • If a car hits you from behind, signal to have them follow you to the nearest police station. Don’t get out of your vehicle.
  • If you see suspicious behavior and you feel unsafe at a stop light, “Look both ways then run the red light.” Suspicious behavior is anything that causes you to pause.
  • Invest in a driveway sensor to monitor movement on your property when you are inside. “Criminals use technology, you should too.”
  • If you can see the rear tires of the car in front of you, you usually have enough space to get around the car in front of you.
  • 50 percent of carjackings happen Friday – Sunday.
  • You can be carjacked at any time but you are most likely to be carjacked between 8-11pm and 12-3:30am.
  • 80 percent of women forced into a car are either killed or raped. Try to avoid getting into the car with a carjacker.

Sergeant Vernal Newson

  • Men are more likely to be carjacking victims because they don’t pay attention to their surroundings as much.
  • If confronted by a carjacker comply, don’t become a kidnap victim.
  • 85 percent of carjacking cases that are solved are solved because of interactions with the community.
  • The top three cars to be carjacked in southeast Michigan are the Dodge Charger, the Chevy Malibu and the Ford Explorer.

The next Neighborhood Safety Meeting will take place on Thursday, March 27th at the North Rosedale Park Community House, 18445 Scarsdale at 6:30 PM. Detroit Police Department Victim Assistance Program Social Worker Felicia Jenkins will be giving an overview of the program.

 

Safety Preparedness Raffle winnerCharles Ryan and Phyllis Epps.


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