Detroit Police Chief James Craig: I was nearly carjacked
Detroit Police Chief James Craig announces the Heatwave campaign targeting auto theft and carjackings, Aug. 26, 2013. (Gus Burns | Mlive Detroit)
DETROIT, MI — Upon returning to his hometown, Detroit Police Chief James Craig seemed miffed by motorists' pervasive tendency to disregard traffic signals.
"One thing that I've been critical of, as it relates to... the way the good people in Detroit drive, some of them just blatantly run red traffic signals," Craig said in late-July. "And I don't know if they just have total disregard for traffic laws or they're afraid of being carjacked."
Craig on a recent Friday, just over three months since moving back to Detroit, experienced first hand what can happen while stopped at traffic lights in his city.
Detroit's head law enforcer believes he nearly became the victim of a carjacking himself.
Craig recounted the story to members of the public during a meeting about carjacking Monday night, the Detroit News reports.
Craig, while stopped at a light on Jefferson, according to the Detroit News told the crowd of 50:
"One thing that I've been critical of, as it relates to... the way the good people in Detroit drive, some of them just blatantly run red traffic signals," Craig said in late-July. "And I don't know if they just have total disregard for traffic laws or they're afraid of being carjacked."
Craig on a recent Friday, just over three months since moving back to Detroit, experienced first hand what can happen while stopped at traffic lights in his city.
Detroit's head law enforcer believes he nearly became the victim of a carjacking himself.
Craig recounted the story to members of the public during a meeting about carjacking Monday night, the Detroit News reports.
Craig, while stopped at a light on Jefferson, according to the Detroit News told the crowd of 50:
There are certain cars each suspect tends to (be attracted) to, and I guess they liked my police car — a police car with lights, and one suspect jumped out and began running toward the passenger side of my vehicle ... As soon as I saw the suspect running to my car, I accelerated out of harm’s way.
And then, candidly, I got angry ... I said, ‘I can’t believe this just almost happened.’
The Detroit News reports there have been 582 carjackings in the city this year, a one percent decrease compared to the same period in 2012.
Craig has said publicly more than one he intends to pay special attention to reducing carjackings.
"This is the one crime that really drives fear in the community," he said in August while announcing the HeatWave programmed aimed at reducing carjackings and auto theft.
Sgt. Vernal Newson of the Auto Theft and Carjacking Task Force said thieves frequently spot a vehicle they like and follow the motorist to their home or destination before committing the crime.
Sgt. Vernal Newson of the Auto Theft and Carjacking Task Force said thieves frequently spot a vehicle they like and follow the motorist to their home or destination before committing the crime.
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