Protect Yourself Against Being Carjacked

NEW ORLEANS POLICE DEPARTMENT CRIME PREVENTION UNIT

Protect Yourself Against Being Carjacked 

While there is no guaranteed way to avoid being carjacked, certain precautions can be taken to reduce or minimize the potential.

        While Driving Your Vehicle 

• Plan your route
• Don’t drive in unfamiliar areas, avoid trouble spots
• Keep your doors locked and windows up
• Look in the rear view mirror often
• Observe 180 degrees around you
• Keep packages, purse, etc. on the vehicle floor rather than on the seat where they are easier to see.
• Be observant as you approach an area or intersection
• If a suspicious looking person approaches your vehicle, drive away carefully —  even if you must go through a traffic light.
• Don’t “drift off” when stopped —— Stay Alert
• If you are driving home, and there is someone walking down the street you don’t recognize, drive around the block and come back after that person has left.
• If bumped from behind, motion for the other driver to follow, drive to the nearest Police/Fire 24 hour station. Notify the Police
• When stopping to use ATM’s, choose a well-lighted and highly visible area
• Keep your vehicle in good working order and with plenty of gas
• When stopping in traffic, leave enough distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you, so you can pull away quickly if necessary.

        If Confronted While Stopped 

• Don’t panic
• Avoid verbal/physical confrontation
• If pulled from your car or confronted while in your car, cooperate —— move away quickly
• Walk/run away from the immediate area
• Call the Police immediately
• If you have a cellular phone, call for help
• Give a description of your car and the suspect(s).

          Option to Consider 

• Have a plan —— do something, just don’t sit there
• When confronted by a suspect(s):
• Drive away with caution —— usually a right turn is safest.  If traffic prohibits this, use the sidewalk or yard, etc.
• Be extra cautious when someone approaches your car and asks you for information.  If you must talk to them, do so with the window up, the doors locked and ready to drive away if necessary.       
• Call the Police immediately.

           Getting Out of Your Vehicle 

• Park in a well-lighted area
• Park near a main aisle
• Park in an outside parking lot with an attendant if possible
• If you suspect something is wrong, don’t stop
• Always park where you have a 360 degree view around you
• Be aware of your surroundings before you get out
• Use your auto alarm, if you have one, as a personal safety device
• Carry an additional personal safety device or alarm
• Roll up your windows before parking
• Leave your doors locked until you have observed your surroundings and are ready to exit your vehicle
• Take your keys with you and have them ready in your hand
• Move quickly away from your car
• At home, make sure the garage door is down before exiting
• Keep your car in working order at all times

           If Confronted Getting Out of Your Vehicle 

• Avoid verbal/physical confrontations
• Cooperate —— move away quickly
• Walk/run away from the immediate area
• Call the Police immediately
• Give the car description
• Give the suspect description
• If at all possible, never go with the suspect(s)
• Remember, the primary rule: “If a gunman wants your car, give it up.”

           Getting Into Your Vehicle 

• Park in a well-lighted area at night
• Be aware of your surroundings (360 degrees)
• Appear confident and assertive
• Walk with someone to your car (friend, co-workers, escort)
• Keep a free hand when approaching your car
• Have your keys ready
• Separate your car keys from other keys in case you need to go back to a place of safety.
• Look for anyone near your car or near you.
• Check the exterior of your car
• Check the interior of your car before entering
• At home, lock car doors before opening the garage door to leave
• Use your auto alarm, if you have one, as a personal safety device
• Carry an additional personal safety device or alarm
• Keep your car in working order at all times (tires, fluids, oil, maintenance, etc.)
• Never let the gas tank get below half full

            If Confronted Getting Into Your Vehicle 

• Avoid any verbal/physical confrontations
• Cooperate —— move away quickly away from your car
• Walk/run away from the immediate area
• Call the Police immediately
• Give the car description
• Give the suspect(s) description

         Remember 

• Anyone can be a victim
• Your safety is your responsibility
• Have a plan and share it with your passengers
• If at all possible, never go with the suspect(s)
• If a gunman wants your car, give it up.  It’s not worth your life!
• If or when an incident occurs, only you can make a decision as to what action to take.  Every situation is different and must be evaluated accordingly.  Remember your safety is most important. 

Thank you,

Sergeant L. J. Smith

New Orleans Police Department

Commander, Crime Prevention Unit

715 S. Broad Avenue, Office # A- 412

New Orleans, LA 70119

(504) 658-5590 – Office Phone

Sylbrown@nola.gov - Email

  

For Police Service

(504) 822-1111 – Crime Stoppers

(504) 822-2222 - Non-Emergency

911 – Emergency