New Effort To Combat 'Crisis' Number Of Detroit Carjackings Announced
DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit Police Chief James Craig says that carjackings in Detroit are nearing crisis levels, and a new task force which combines police, FBI and the U.S. Attorney's office has joined in an effort to reduce the increasing numbers.
"This is unique, in some respects, to Detroit," said Craig.
The number of carjackings in Detroit greatly outnumber those in L.A. and Cincinnati according to Craig.
New billboards are going up across the Motor City with an anti-carjacking message. And if information is any deterrent, the message is clear; "Carjacking is a federal crime with long prison terms."
FBI Agent Paul Abbate says 167 carjackings this year is a disturbing number.
"It's really one, here in the city, that has a very severe negative impact on our citizens , instilling fear in them and really threatening their safety as they go about their business daily and it's unacceptable," said Abbate.
U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade says she will take serial carjacking offenses seriously and could seek the death penalty in some cases.