In Disguise and On the Rise

Everyday Activity

Carjacking and theft are on the rise again right across the nation. With new technology, criminals are finding ways to override electronic safety devices, which can put an unaware driver in danger. When affronted with a violent crime situation, it is usually best to defend yourself and accept a loss of property rather than risk your life. It doesn’t take much for a quick steal to erupt into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Within the blink of an eye, someone’s life is changed forever. Before this happens to you, your teenage driver, or other passengers, FMAC encourages you to be watchful of some “bait and lure” indicators that you might be at risk:

• Unknown pedestrian(s) or casual onlookers near your vehicle claiming to be admiring it.
• Random strangers posing as interested buyers of the same style want your opinion.
• A closely following vehicle, keeping pace with you, even in your neighborhood.
• The approach of a person handing out promotional information or leaving a flyer on your windshield.
• Your license plate was recently stolen.
• A “lost” driver or pedestrian asking you for directions, getting you to step out of your running vehicle.
• A “good Samaritan” offering to help you load your store purchases.
• A staged minor rear-end bump/collision.
• A plain verbal warning or threat accompanied with a display or talk of a hidden weapon.

Basically, any iffy scenario that encourages you to step away from, out of, or interrupts your entry into your car is a good sign that you or your car are facing a crime.

Trust Your Senses

We are surrounded by new. New technology, new interactive video games, new vehicle makes and models with affordable sticker prices to suit the middle to lower-class wage earners, high-priced options are now factory-installed standard features.

New and increasing selling markets, the sharp uptick in food delivery, and other affordable personal car shuttling businesses have appealed to the criminal element and made it easier for them to jack a running car. However, the one standard that isn’t so new, and what may be your best defense against becoming a victim, is your own sense of “flight or fight”. If your gut is telling you to resist, it is best to do so.

 **Normally, a jacked vehicle is located after two or three days of joyriding by the thieves. While there may be damaged, the outcome is infinitely better than physical injuries or worse. **

The Best Defense is Self-defense

The biggest fight encountered in a carjacking is the victim’s internal ability to maintain a calm composure as much as possible, don’t play the hero card, and engage or overreact in rage. By enrolling in basic self-defense training at the FMAC, you will gain the benefits of learning how to defend yourself with confidence, learning what to look out for in advance, and tuning your inner senses to adjust to your surroundings will not only instill you with a physical ability to respond but also keep you mentally aware without undue stress. It is certainly a class lesson geared toward all age groups. Considering a whole family enrollment will entrust that you don’t need to worry about your loved ones either when they are out by themselves with peers or employment/school duties.

When it comes to carjacking, your objective is clear.

• Be aware
• Stay alert
• Remain calm
• Defend only if threatened
• Attend self-defense classes

Steer clear of any danger and trust the professionals at FMAC to keep you up to speed.