By Melissa Brewer
There is some unfortunate news regarding driving in Rochester, New York. The police and media have reported an increase in carjackings, and if you’re a driver you know that’s trouble. Carjackers are often armed, violent, and desperate to get away from the scene of a crime, making the situation very volatile if you’re unprepared or choose to fight back. Even though carjackings are on the rise, there is evidence that suggests that it’s still safe to drive in Rochester, so long as you know what you’re doing.
Police Intervention Helps
The Sentencing Project has revealed research to show a 500% increase in inmates over the last 40 years. Though there is an overall decrease in crime, more people are going to jail, and among the criminal population are carjackers. Fortunately, police can work in a number of ways to catch these criminals. From setting up roadblocks to preparing stings, generally, the police can zone in on an area where there are repeated carjackings and get in front of the problem. Should a carjacking occur, there is also a risk of subsequent carjacking, as criminals try desperately to flee? The good news is, because of the carjackings, there will be no shortage of police patrolling the streets. Unlike in the movies, police pursuits often end with the suspect dead or apprehended, so if you see an increased police presence in Rochester, it may mean you are safer driving than you would without them around.
Staying Safe While Driving
Check to see where you are on the road at all times. If you slip into a dark street, be alert for pedestrians coming closer to your vehicle. Many cars nowadays have a security feature that locks vehicle doors automatically. Even without this feature, you never want to find yourself at a traffic light with your passenger or driver’s side doors unlocked. Also, it’s in your best interests to drive safely so you don’t attract the attention of criminals. Sometimes, criminals will see dangerous driving as a sign that you’re the perfect target to pick on. For that reason, it’s best to obey the rules and stick to the law while you’re driving. An important fact is that Americans report spending 87 minutes a day on average in their cars, but a median of only one hour. The more time you have to spend in your car in Rochester, the more effort you’ll have to put into staying safe.
Be Vigilant and Report Suspicious Activity
Work with the public to fight back by reporting suspicious behavior. There will be times in Rochester when you see strangers lurking, people hiding their actions, and people clearly engaged in criminal activity. It may be tempting to ignore this activity, but all you’re doing is increasing the chances that someone else might be victimized by a crime. With all the carjackings taking place, the more vigilant you are, the more likely others will follow suit. For carjackings, police helicopters are often used when concerned citizens report upcoming changes regarding suspicious activity to the police. The U.S. has five times more heliports than any other country. That means there are always opportunities for law enforcement units to get in the air and search as long as citizens are forthcoming with information. Take pride in your community and report suspicious activity to the police. In doing so, you may be saving another person from a violent carjacking in Rochester.
Police may be reporting an increase in carjackings, but you can still drive safely in Rochester if you take the time to drive safely and report suspicious activity to the police. Part of fighting back against these carjackings requires many citizens to work together and talk about what they’re seeing in the community. No matter where you go in the United States, you’re sure to find a community affected by crime. But as long as people take safety precautions, they’ll at least be able to get around Rochester, New York safely without too much of a hassle.
Tags: cars in Rochester, City of Rochester, downtown Rochester, driving, Main Street, Rochester, Rochester NY
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on Tuesday, November 9th, 2021 at 10:57 am and is filed under Rochester News.
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