Why do so many people in cities like DC own cars and then complain about carjackings?

[Anonymous]

The PP cannot be serious

[Anonymous]

I was told many years ago that carjackers took cars to commit other crimes, and I don't believe that's true in the majority. I believe carjackers in DC mainly do it, for fun, and other crimes are incidental.

I lived in a part of the city where the teenagers did this, then abandoned the cars in my alley. Three times, the teenagers set the cars on fire before running off. It was terrifying, hearing cars explode, but I also came face to face with them, and they were only just kids.

I haven't been carjacked, but I crossed paths with a group of 3 young (like 14, 15 years old) carjackers just before they did the deed around the corner a few minutes later. They were armed, according to police. If this happened to you, you would be terrified, especially because they are just kids and you don't know what they might do with their child brains and trigger finger.

The worst stories are: they carjacked a car with a baby/child still in it, or the woman who was carjacked with her baby, begging him to let her out.

It's the terror and the trauma, not the loss of the car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was told many years ago that carjackers took cars to commit other crimes, and I don't believe that's true in the majority. I believe carjackers in DC mainly do it, for fun, and other crimes are incidental.

I lived in a part of the city where the teenagers did this, then abandoned the cars in my alley. Three times, the teenagers set the cars on fire before running off. It was terrifying, hearing cars explode, but I also came face to face with them, and they were only just kids.

I haven't been carjacked, but I crossed paths with a group of 3 young (like 14, 15 years old) carjackers just before they did the deed around the corner a few minutes later. They were armed, according to police. If this happened to you, you would be terrified, especially because they are just kids and you don't know what they might do with their child brains and trigger finger.

The worst stories are: they carjacked a car with a baby/child still in it, or the woman who was carjacked with her baby, begging him to let her out.

It's the terror and the trauma, not the loss of the car.

I agree with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was told many years ago that carjackers took cars to commit other crimes, and I don't believe that's true in the majority. I believe carjackers in DC mainly do it, for fun, and other crimes are incidental.

I lived in a part of the city where the teenagers did this, then abandoned the cars in my alley. Three times, the teenagers set the cars on fire before running off. It was terrifying, hearing cars explode, but I also came face to face with them, and they were only just kids.

I haven't been carjacked, but I crossed paths with a group of 3 young (like 14, 15 years old) carjackers just before they did the deed around the corner a few minutes later. They were armed, according to police. If this happened to you, you would be terrified, especially because they are just kids and you don't know what they might do with their child brains and trigger finger.

The worst stories are: they carjacked a car with a baby/child still in it, or the woman who was carjacked with her baby, begging him to let her out.

It's the terror and the trauma, not the loss of the car.

"Just kids." I am pretty sure they know it's wrong. Otherwise there wouldn't be an associated thrill with the transgression.

[Anonymous]

OP is a special brand if a holier than thou idiot.

Car is at least some protection from being bashed over the head and robbed on a bike.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Absent physical disabilities, being immunocompromised or living in the farthest corners of the city, you do not need a car here. I’m actually generally of the “tough on crime” variety, but I don’t care about carjackings since there’s no reason to own a car if you live in the city.

You’re blaming the victims of crime? You’re a f**king joke

[Anonymous]

Especially in a stellar city like ours where buses and metros are where you get shot at

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was told many years ago that carjackers took cars to commit other crimes, and I don't believe that's true in the majority. I believe carjackers in DC mainly do it, for fun, and other crimes are incidental.

I lived in a part of the city where the teenagers did this, then abandoned the cars in my alley. Three times, the teenagers set the cars on fire before running off. It was terrifying, hearing cars explode, but I also came face to face with them, and they were only just kids.

I haven't been carjacked, but I crossed paths with a group of 3 young (like 14, 15 years old) carjackers just before they did the deed around the corner a few minutes later. They were armed, according to police. If this happened to you, you would be terrified, especially because they are just kids and you don't know what they might do with their child brains and trigger finger.

The worst stories are: they carjacked a car with a baby/child still in it, or the woman who was carjacked with her baby, begging him to let her out.

It's the terror and the trauma, not the loss of the car.

Oh yeah, I don’t think anyone is confused about this. The reason carjacking is so much more serious than car theft is the risk of the situation and the trauma to the victim even if it goes “smoothly.” That’s why it comes with much higher sentences, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP is a special brand if a holier than thou idiot.

Car is at least some protection from being bashed over the head and robbed on a bike.

+1

I know several bikers who’ve been robbed on their bikes biking home after a night at the bar.

[Anonymous]

This is king of the troll posts.

Why own a house and complain about burglaries?

[Anonymous]

If you have kids, both you and your spouse live AND work in a part of the city that's close in and walkable. Or you work from home? We work full time and feel we're drowning most of the time juggling and you want to make life more difficult with what would be an extra hour plus tacked on to the beginning and emd of our day?

Wait but I'd have to quit because it would mean I couldn't work a full 8 hour day anymore. I don't have a luxury of working from home.

FWIW I support bike lanes for those who use them, but adding an hour plus to both me and my husband's ends of the day is not realistic.

I

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP is a special brand if a holier than thou idiot.

Car is at least some protection from being bashed over the head and robbed on a bike.

OP is a troll.

[Anonymous]

I have a right to engage in any legal behavior and not be crimed on. Sure I lock my doors when I drive, because I'm not naive. But there's no reason DC residents shouldn't be able to own and drive a car in peace.
There's no reason I shouldn't be able to get drunk alone without being attacked. Again, I don't do it cause I'm not naive. But you bet I'm going to complain about criminals who take advantage.
My child should be able to walk to school...
I should be able to go hiking or camping alone....
And on and on. Just because we don't live in a perfect world doesn't mean we have to just accept it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP is a special brand if a holier than thou idiot.

Car is at least some protection from being bashed over the head and robbed on a bike.

+1

I know several bikers who’ve been robbed on their bikes biking home after a night at the bar.

They were robbed for their own safety and the safety of others because Bicycling Under the Influence is illegal and dangerous.