Signal Tribune Newspaper

BY NICK DIAMANTIDES
Staff Writer

Most victims of carjacking say that it happened so fast they didn’t have time to think. However, according to a video shown recently by the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD), most carjackings can be prevented.
The video was shown at the third meeting of the Marshall Place-Brayton Avenue Neighborhood Watch Group. Ben Offill, police services specialist, presented information to the group that would normally span two meetings. Because of space limitations, the topics covered by the meeting have been divided into several Signal Tribune articles.
The video featured an actor playing the part of a carjacking victim who got lost while driving home from work. “I pulled up to a stop sign and, all of a sudden, this guy runs up to my car and jumps in,” he said, explaining that the man pointed a gun at him and told him to drive behind a building. “He stole my watch, my wallet and took my car,” he added. “I learned from the police that thieves are looking for new ways to steal from the public and many of them are specializing in theft and assault on motorists.”

The “victim” outlined measures that people can take to prevent carjacking. They are as follows: keep your vehicle in good working order to prevent breakdowns away from home; always drive with car doors locked; always leave space between your car and the car in front of you when you are stopped in traffic to provide a way of quick exit if you need it; carry a cell phone in your car so that you can call for help in any emergency; remain in your car if breaks down on the freeway until a tow truck or police officer arrives. (If another motorist arrives, do not get out. Instead ask them to call the police or a tow truck, and stay in your car until help arrives.) ; think carefully before stopping to assist another motorist- it might be wiser to call the police to inform them of the vehicle’s location; and never pick up hitchhikers.
The video also featured an enactment of an older couple that was robbed while walking to their car after shopping. “When we left the store, I put my purse in the child’s seat of the shopping cart,” the woman said.
“I did see the young man standing near our car, but I didn’t think much about it,” the man said.
“Before I knew what was happening, he ran up and grabbed my purse,” the woman added.
“The police told us that this type of crime is increasing and thieves are looking for shoppers that are easy to steal from,” the man noted. “They also told us that there are several techniques we can use to reduce the odds of being robbed.”
Those techniques are as follows: avoid handling money in public; avoid the frequent use of ATMs; avoid carrying large amounts of money- use checks or credit cards for large purchases; never leave your purse, wallet or packages in your car- put them in the trunk; avoid late-night shopping, but if you must shop at night, go with a friend or, preferably, a group of friends; if shopping at night, park in well-lighted areas.
After the video, Offill outlined a wide range of precautions that can enhance personal safety. “Everyone should take measures to improve their own personal security,” he said. “At night, walk in well-lighted areas. Wear white so people can see you. Don’t jaywalk. Don’t take shortcuts through poorly lighted areas. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Walk on the side of the street where the traffic is coming toward you. That way, you can see if a car is slowing down or someone is opening the door, maybe with the intent of grabbing you. If you think someone is following you, go to the closest house and knock on the door for help. If you have a whistle, blow it. We recommend that you carry a whistle if you are walking at night.”
Offill advised the group members to carry their keys like defensive weapons, ready for use if attacked by someone. “In the market or in the parking lot, keep your purse under your arm to make it hard for a purse-snatcher to grab,” he said. “If you need to put your purse in the shopping cart, fasten it with the child safety strap.”
He also warned the group to avoid strangers asking questions or people loitering in their neighborhood. “Just go back into your house and call the police, and, if possible, use the suspect description list to give the police an accurate description,” he said.
Earlier in the meeting, Offill had given out suspect description lists that contained categories such as height, weight, race, clothing and other features that would help police spot the person. “If there is a stranger in the neighborhood or if you are calling 9-1-1, this will help you provide the police with an accurate description of what the person looks like,” Offill said. “We don’t expect you to carry it around with you, but if you see suspicious people in your neighborhood, you want to give the 9-1-1 operator as much information as possible.” He added that it might be a good idea to keep a suspect description list in your car as well.
“Remember,” Offill said, “the purpose of these neighborhood watch meetings is to help you reduce the likelihood of becoming a crime victim, and to teach you how you can help police find criminals and people you think might be up to no good.”
The final article in this series will cover the operations of the LBPD’s emergency command center. To form a neighborhood watch group in Long Beach, phone (562) 570-7229. In Signal Hill, phone (562) 989-7206.