With Carjackings On The Rise, Here’s How To Protect Yourself, And Your Vehicle, This Holiday Season (surrender)

WCCO via MSN ^ | November 24, 2021 | WCCO CBS Minnesota

[DoodleBob]

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (WCCO) — This year, safety is of the essence when you’re driving around town, and in and out of the car while running errands.

Carjackings are up nationwide. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) says beginning in June 2020, the United States experienced a 13% increase in auto thefts. And in Minneapolis, there have been 540 this year — five times the amount in 2019.

The busiest shopping season is underway, and at Mall of America, shoppers are heading into the season with joy, but also with caution.

Maria Dockendorf and Tessia Gebherd have been friends since they were sophomores in high school. Now college students, they met up at Mall of America for a shopping reunion. They both say they keep safety in mind.

“I usually lock my car all the time, like double check, make sure it honks and stuff,” Gebherd said.

...

Safety experts say after shopping, go straight to your car while looking at surroundings. Once you get inside, don’t sit and scroll on your phone. Lock the doors and get moving.

The Richfield Police Department offers this simple tip: Keep car keys and house keys on separate rings, so even if someone gets your car, they can’t get in your house.

Police all over the metro say the number-one reason cars are stolen is people leave keys in the car for convenience.

Two other carjacking safety tips from police: At red lights, leave a car space ahead of you in case you need to accelerate fast.

And don’t resist if someone tries to take your car. Your life is not worth it. (emphasis added)

[reasonisfaith]

These people don’t understand the concept of doing anything for others. Least of all protecting, or doing anything good, for women.

[ScottinVA]

Best to drive a car with a stick shift if possible. ‘Hood rats and other thieving punks cans drive a stick to save their worthless lives.

[dfwgator]

[G Larry]

Thanks Mom......

[G Larry]

Thanks Mom......

[refermech]

Har! Those guys watching are real casual aren’t they?

[Daffynition]

Must be the *superb* FWD on the wagon. LOL.

[FWIW, its from a Farmers Insurance ad]

[M Kehoe]

Always double tap?

5.56mm

[windsorknot]

Here’s my car. But wait! You also get a free supply of ammo.

[samkatz]

“Never slow down or stop on a street called ‘Martin Luther King Boulevard’”

[GingisK]

I think the South African side-mounted flame throwers are the correct approach.

[SunkenCiv]

• Gov Says Crime Surge "No Big Deal" [semi-satire]
• Comedic actor Seth Rogen sparked a Twitter frenzy after he shrugged off Los Angeles criminals breaking into cars, suggesting it's simply part of normal life in a big city.

[JimRed]

If you’re stuck in a blue state – no carry city, keep a throwaway handgun in the car, shoot your attacker, and claim to have taken the weapon from him. Don’t forget the gloves while loading; no prints on the ammo.