By Steve Pomper
In a continuing effort to keep the public informed about the actions of bad guys to victimize you comes this advisory from the Washington State Patrol (WSP). Keep in mind that bad things tend to happen when you least expect them. Just ask any cop. That’s why law enforcement officers try to expect the unexpected or, at least, learn to react quickly to it.
While vigilance is necessary for law enforcement officers, a minimum of practical awareness is essential for the average person. I see so many people walking around, deeply immersed in their iPhones, thumbs a blur on the keyboard, or wearing earbuds or earphones, oblivious to the world around them. It’s no wonder bad things or people can take them by surprise.
However, bad people can still take you by surprise even if technology hasn’t seduced you and you’re aware of your surroundings, by using a ruse. Most often, when a stranger contacts you, saying they need help really are in need. And it’s nice if you can help them. Needing a jump for a dead car battery comes to mind because it recently happened to me in a grocery store parking lot known for shady activity.
Everything worked out fine, and the people who needed help were very nice young folks. Of course, criminals will feign kindness, too. Then again, I’m a retired cop, so I may remain a bit more vigilant and look for signs of deception out of habit—oh, and I’m armed.
WSP is warning the public about criminals doing worse than feigning a dead battery. If you’ve already heard about this ploy, a refresher can’t hurt. If you haven’t, pay close attention and commit this information to your mental Rolodex.
According to John McKay at KORD 102.7, “The Washington State Patrol is warning drivers about a new method being used by car thieves to steal vehicles.”
This story is not simply about car thefts but violent robberies—carjackings. There is a difference. Car theft occurs when a thief breaks into a car and takes it or steals a vehicle with the keys left in it. A carjacking is when a robber(s) uses force or the threat of force to steal your vehicle from you. Though both experiences are not pleasant, the former does not involve violence, while the latter is extremely violent and sometimes deadly.
We’re talking about the latter here. McKay rightly describes carjacking as “one of the most violent means used by criminals to steal a vehicle….”
This can be done by opening the driver’s door and yanking drivers and passengers from the car or by making them exit the vehicle by threatening to punch, stab, or shoot people. In some instances, the suspects answer the least resistance with violence, including up to lethal.
In these recent instances, the WSP says the carjackers faked a collision, called “bump-jacking.” Using minimal force to cause little or no damage, the suspect will use a car to intentionally “bump” a victim’s car to simulate a “fender-bender.”
When the driver gets out of the vehicle to deal with what they think is a minor collision, the suspects, in three recent cases masked and armed with guns, threaten to harm the occupants and then steal the car.
WSP advises anyone who suspects a minor fender-bender is a possible attempted “bump-jacking” not to stop but drive to the nearest police station (or other safe location like a fire station).
In closing and confirming we are happy warriors, this additional little feature will likely surprise you, but the city in which it happened might not. With an apparent nod to the chicken crossing the road query, cops in San Francisco (I told you) are donning chicken costumes to get drivers to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks.
SFPD Capt. Amy Hurwitz, as reported by the SFGate, said Lt. Johathan Ozol donned one of the costumes (sometimes also using Big Bird or a unicorn), and despite being brightly colored, “some drivers still aren’t yielding to Ozol.” Perhaps the news about “30 to 40” drivers receiving traffic tickets with fines up to $400 will encourage people to slow down.
We all know that SF has much more serious problems and that woke city officials’ permissive law enforcement policies have likely contributed to the blatant, perhaps, subconscious, general disrespect laws.
But credit where credit is due for creativity. And it might just save a pedestrian (or a chicken) from getting run down in a crosswalk.
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