Episode 163 - A Dramatic Increase in Carjackings
Executive Protection and Secure Transportation Podcast
Release Date: 01/05/2021
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Executive Protection and Secure Transportation Podcast
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Executive Protection and Secure Transportation Podcast
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Episode 208 - Security Driver Pay Scale
Executive Protection and Secure Transportation Podcast
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Episode 207 - Applying the Science of Driving to the Indy 500
Executive Protection and Secure Transportation Podcast
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Episode 206 - Spending for Secure Transportation Continues to Increase
Executive Protection and Secure Transportation Podcast
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Episode 205 – Executive Vehicle Safety and Car Specifications
Executive Protection and Secure Transportation Podcast
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Episode 204 - Runflats, Winter Tires, and Electric Vehicle Tires
Executive Protection and Secure Transportation Podcast
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Episode 203 - Why Do You Need a Security Driver?
Executive Protection and Secure Transportation Podcast
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Episode 202 - Impressive Skidpad Tests for Executive Vehicles, and Canopy Vehicle Protection System , Tesla Driver Charged
Executive Protection and Secure Transportation Podcast
In today’s episode, we have three news stories to share – the driver of a Tesla charged with vehicular manslaughter, we’ll take a look at a few executive vehicle’s impressive skidpad tests and what that means for the security driver, and a new tech venture with Ford and ADT to combat thieves.
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Episode 201 - Road Rage Statistics
Executive Protection and Secure Transportation Podcast
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Hello, and welcome to episode 163 of the EPST podcast. I'm your host, Larry Snow.
The topic for this week’s episode is the huge increase in carjackings.
Statistically, driving the principal from point A to point B has been the highest risk the principal faces during their daily routine. A not so new risk needs to be added to that trip, and that is the dramatic increase, in fact, a staggering increase in carjackings in parts of the United States during the pandemic.
If you are not familiar with the term, a carjacking is a violent, potentially fatal version of auto theft.
Do a Google search for carjackings under the News tab you’ll see 3 New Year’s Day carjackings in St. Louis, another in Chicago, more in Oakland, and Washington D.C.
According to ABC News, Minneapolis police report that carjackings there have shot up 537% this year. Carjacking calls to 911 in New Orleans are up 126%. Oakland police cite an increase of 38%. In Chicago, in all of 2019, there were 501 incidents of carjackings. So far that number has more than doubled to 1,125 this year, according to the latest Chicago police statistics.
One of the reasons given for the increase – came from a criminal justice professor - "If we weren't in a pandemic and you saw a guy coming up to your car with a mask on, you probably would freak out and hit the gas pedal," he explained. "But nowadays, everyone's wearing masks. So, there's this anonymity part of the pandemic that I think many criminals are taking advantage of."
Another reason there for the increase in carjackings is the impact of COVID on police departments across the country. Law enforcement has been hampered by the need to minimize officer’s exposure to COVID. In a recent report from the Police Executive Research Forum, 1100 of the NYC Police Dept had positive COVID tests in December alone. Similarly, Boston Police Commissioner William Gross stated that “right now, the Police Department has an uptick in COVID-19. 229 of my 2,100 sworn officers are out. That’s going to greatly impact how we do business.”
With all this in mind, we thought we’d dip into the podcast archives and replay for you an episode I did from August 16th, 2018.
Some closing thoughts
As a solo practitioner or security driver continue to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings, leave space between you and the vehicle in front of you while in traffic so that you can more easily make an escape, discuss a plan with your principal in the event you are carjacked.
We have links to the 3 Seconds to Safety Booklet and additional material in the show notes available at SecurityDriver.Com/163