Introduction
Carjacking is the unlawful taking of a motor vehicle from its driver and occupants by violence, force or intimidation. In some cases, perpetrators often steal cells, phones, wallets and other possessions from the occupants (Felson et al., 2021). Over the last few years, Americans have witnessed an unprecedented increase in carjackings and vehicle thefts. Statistics on carjackings and vehicle theft highlight the growing and disturbing trend (Glawe, 2022). According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), carjackings increased by close to 30% as of 2021, contrasted to the 2017 data. The percentage growth in carjackings contrasted to 2019 is 16.5%, while carjackings increased by 5% from 2020 to 2021 (Glawe, 2022). Key states with worst cases include Colorado, Wisconsin, Vermont, New York and Washington D.C. Popular methods used by carjackers include blocking vehicles, good Samaritan, the bump, car trouble, and halted traffic attacks. According to Greenberg and Ruback (2012), crimes including carjacking exert an enormous toll on victims in terms of financial and material losses and physical and emotional pain. There are several programs to help victims of carjacking. The essay outlines several programs to help victims of a carjacking.
The State Crime Victims Compensation Program
The program compensates victims for crime-related expenses. All U.S. territories and states can apply for this compensation. Such fees include mental health counselling, medical costs, lost items and loss of support (Federal Government, 2022). All states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, have established compensation initiatives for crime victims, including carjacking. Even though each state initiative is independently administered, most programs have the same eligibility criteria and provide comparable benefits (Federal Government, 2022). However, compensation is only offered when other programs like offender restitution and private insurance do not cover the loss suffered by carjacking victims. Carjacking victims need to comply with state rules and statutes to get this compensation. It thus requires victims to comply with reasonable requests of security agencies and submit a timely application to the compensation program (Federal Government, 2022). When approved, carjacking victims benefit from a wide range of benefits.
For example, in New Jersey, the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) under the Department of Law and Public Safety provides critical services. The program compensates some victims of violent crimes for expenses incurred due to crimes, including carjacking (VCCO, 2021). While providing services, VCCO is aware of the unique needs of these victims and their right to be treated with respect, fairness and compassion.
The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)
Under the Office of Justice Programs in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), OVC is committed to enhancing the country’s capacity to help victims and provide effective leadership through practices, policies and changing attitudes to strengthen justice and recovery for all individuals impacted by carjacking crimes. Created in 1988 after reforming the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) of 1984, OVC is authorized by Congress to oversee Crime Victims Fund [the Fund] (OVC, 2020). Through OVC, the program bolsters some services and programs that aim to support populations in the wake of offence and continuous help to aid them in reestablishing themselves. Funds are channeled to victim assistance and compensation in all U. S states and territories (OVC, 2020). These programs also provide technical advice, training and capacity development initiatives meant to support service provision to victims of carjacking (Fletcher, 2015). The Crime Victims Fund is funded through penalties and fines paid by convicted federal criminals and not taxpayers. Other sources of funding include donations, gifts and bequests by private partners.
Legislative Programs
Many jurisdictions across the U.S. have cracked down on carjacking and enhanced policies on motor theft. For example, in Wisconsin, a bill-The Car Theft and Reckless Driving Prevention Act, was enacted to address the issue. The Act seeks to increase sanctions for these crimes. In other cities like Chicago experiencing high carjacking rates, authorities developed an anti-carjacking task force. The maximum legal sanction for a national carjacking sentence is 15 years and 25 years, where victims and a life sentence suffer severe bodily injuries if the incident results in death (Glawe, 2022). These legal measures are meant to shield victims of carjacking, ensure that justice is served, and prevent such incidents.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)
In the U.S., motor vehicle thefts are on the rise. While on the road, commuters are concerned about accidents and are also worried about carjacking and break-ins. Throughout the U.S., comprehensive insurance coverage programs exist to protect carjacking victims. For carjacking victims, insurance ensures that they are fully insured against all damages sustained on the car while possessed by the carjackers. If the vehicle is not found or discovered but damaged, comprehensive insurance ensures that the actual repairs equal the car value. Hence, instead of having the car repaired, victims will be compensated for the absolute value of the motor vehicle. When a carjacking incident occurs, the NICB provides critical help to victims. The NICB helps victims obtain an affidavit for the manufacturer to confirm the car and connect it to the owner (Glawe, 2022). NICB also offers technical assistance and aid to key parties investigating and prosecuting the case. NICB agents help carjacking victims by explaining the producer’s VIN numbering system and providing the real basis for the interstate commerce network to determine federal jurisdiction (Glawe, 2022). NICB also provides analytical support to investigators until the case is solved. Furthermore, NICB enhances communications and alerts to all parties concerning the incident.
Healthcare Services and Coping
Anyone can become a victim of a carjacking. Being a carjacking victim is a stressful and challenging experience (FBI, 2016). Even though some individuals are naturally tough and might adjust and cope over time, others are significantly impacted by after-effects, including trauma. For such victims, getting back to normal is challenging after a personal experience with carjackers. Hence, comprehending and feeling more secure with these negative feelings can aid victims of carjacking cope with the experience (FBI, 2016). Victims of carjacking need to seek help from family members, friends, counsellors, clergy or victim assistance professionals. Victims of carjacking experience emotional, physical and mental symptoms. Physical symptoms include sweating, tremors, nausea, high blood pressure, startled responses, lack of coordination, headaches and dizziness. Key emotional symptoms include anxiety, feeling isolated, lost and abandoned, fear, sadness, numbness, anger and depression (FBI, 2016). Mental issues include challenges in making decisions, confusion, nightmares, memory issues, disorientation and intrusive memories.
When such symptoms persist, carjack victims are advised to seek help. These include finding people to talk to, taking care of their body and mind, exercising frequently and making daily chores and decisions, helping them acquire control over their lives again (FBI, 2016). Victims are also advised not to use drugs or alcohol, avoid making life-changing decisions because their memory might be impaired, express their emotions and avoid blaming themselves for the carjacking incident. Nationally, the FBI provides pamphlets and brochures for carjacking victims (FBI, 2016). The resources outline critical steps for coping with carjacking incidents, contain sites where victims can raise complaints with the Bureau, and provide victim specialists and significant FBI contacts for additional help.
Policing Programs
Since carjacking became prevalent in American communities, policies have been enhancing community policing. One of these is increased funding to law security agencies to secure communities and respond when carjackings occur to help victims (Glawe, 2022). Another significant move by policing agencies is via community-oriented policing services (COPS). COPS is guided by a mission to promote policing in the society via resource and information exchange. Key COPS initiatives include hiring and training more security personnel, procuring technology and equipment and increasing the number of security personnel engaged in interacting with the community through proactive crime prevention and control (Glawe, 2022). COPS has been acknowledged as a critical move by increasing police presence in communities while enhancing community cooperation and partnership with local entities.
Conclusion
The U.S. has faced an unprecedented increase in carjackings in recent years since statistics highlight the growing and disturbing trend. In the community, anyone can become a carjacking victim, and for these victims, it is a stressful and challenging experience. Although some Americans might cope, others are significantly impacted by after-effects, including trauma. For such victims, getting back to normal is challenging after a personal experience with a carjacker; thus, addressing these adverse feelings can help victims of carjacking survive with the experience. Nonetheless, several programs exist to help victims of carjacking, ranging from medical services, insurance, policing, legislation and some federal and state initiatives, including OVC and the State Crime Victims Compensation Program.
References
FBI. (2016, June 17). Coping with crime victimization. Federal Bureau of Investigation. https://www.fbi.gov/resources/victim-services/coping-with-victimization.
Federal Government. (2022). State Crime Victims Compensation. Welcome to Benefits.gov | Benefits.gov. https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/4416.
Felson, M., Melo, S. N. D., Xu, Y., & Jiang, S. (2021). Carjacking: A Comparison Between Campinas, Brazil and Detroit, Michigan. Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, 10439862211034346.
Fletcher, S. (2015). Training and Technical Assistance Resources from the Office for Victims of Crime. US Att’ys Bull., 63, 54.
Glawe, D. J. (2022, March 1). “Federal Support for Preventing and Responding to Carjackings” Before the Senate Judiciary Committee. United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Glawe%20Testimony.pdf.
Greenberg, M. S., & Ruback, R. B. (2012). After the crime: The victim decision making (Vol. 9). Springer Science & Business Media.
Morewitz, S. (2019). Kidnapping: Carjacking and related crimes. In Kidnapping and Violence (pp. 153-169). Springer, New York, NY.
Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). (2020, April 18). About OVC. Office for Victims of Crime. https://ovc.ojp.gov/about.
Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO). (2021, November 8). Victims of crime compensation office. New Jersey Office of Attorney General. https://www.njoag.gov/vcco/.
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