Carjacking prevention tips

Summertime crime is on the rise. One crime to watch out for is carjacking. A current police alert warns about a new method for carjacking. It hasn't happened in the Tulsa area yet, but it's

Friday, June 11th 2004, 10:39 am

By: News On 6

Summertime crime is on the rise. One crime to watch out for is carjacking. A current police alert warns about a new method for carjacking. It hasn't happened in the Tulsa area yet, but it's something to be aware of.

News on 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright explains how this new method works and has tips on staying safe.

Carjackings happen in the blink of an eye and even if they're not as dramatic as Hollywood portrays them, they're still terrifying.

Some say there's a new method of carjacking going around. It works like this; someone leaves a piece of paper on your back windshield. So, when you get into your car to leave the store or mall or theatre and put it in reverse, you see the paper in the rearview window, which makes you put the car into park and get out. When you come around to remove the piece of paper, that's when the carjackers jump out and shove you aside and take off in your car.

Carjackings became more popular when it became easier to steal from a person than try to beat an alarm system. Here are tips for avoiding other carjackings.

If you're sitting at a red light, always leave enough room in front of you to get away from someone walking up to your car, driver over the curb or run the red-light, even, to get away.

While you're driving, keep your doors locked and windows up, always. If you're in a parking lot, have your keys out, look under, around and inside your car before getting inside. If all prevention efforts fail, think survival at all costs.

And don't forget to remember your car's blind spot, an easy place for someone to walk up and catch you by surprise.