Lower you hijacking risk profile
JVB, ECR's Traffic Guy educates residents on lowering their hijacking risk profile.
JOHANN von Bargen, also known as JvB, East Coast Radio’s Traffic Guy, educated Westville residents on lowering their hijacking risk profiles at the Westville CPF meeting on Tuesday 15 October.
According to Von Bargen, residents need to understand hijackers in order to avoid the criminals.
“Hijackers are primarily interested in money, so they are interested in your vehicle so that they can sell it for money. They are not interested in you as a person, so always give them what they want,” said Von Bargen.
Von Bargen presented the Westville residents with small changes that they can make in their lifestyles to reduce their risk profiles. The first change involved awareness. He urged residents to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings at all times.
“A hijacker will wait for an opportunity, so if you are not paying attention to your surroundings, driving with your car unlocked and the windows down you are providing them with an opportunity to target you and your vehicle. If you lock your doors and remain vigilant you will reduce your chance of being hijacked,” said Von Bargen.
Residents were also urged to remain mobile. According to Von Bargen, a person’s chance of being hijacked is reduced by 97 per cent if the driver remains mobile.
“Only 3 per cent of hijackers will attempt to hijack a moving vehicle. People are more vulnerable when they are standing still,” said Von Bargen.
Residents were also told to alternate their routes to work and home, as this will discourage hijackers from learning their routines and following them home.
“The aim is to make small changes, one should not change your lifestyle. Thus, do not uproot your trees. Cut them at the bottom so you can spot would be criminals. Reverse into a parking, so that you have a better view getting into your car. This also allows you to exit the parking space in one quick move. People who have electronic gates should also stop parallel to the gate rather than facing the gate. This gives them an opportunity to race off, should anyone approach their vehicle,” said Von Bargen.
