of going to Nairobi?
This week's hilarity comes to us from:
Tuesday, January 4th, 2000
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Precautions against car-jackers
The Chronicle asked Cartrack Managing Director Chris McDonald, a former Metropolitan Police officer, to summarise the current car-jacking situation in Nairobi and give advice to drivers, particularly over the Christmas and New Year period.
He replied: "Last year saw a jump in car-jackings through December and this year looks the same."
Accurate figures are always impossible to get in Nairobi but I would not be surprised if there were not 50 or more car-jackings a week at the moment, a positively horrific figure.
The thing that they have most in common is the fact that the majority occur between 7pm and 11pm, day in day out.
I was dealing with a robbery just the other day...at a posh apartment block, the sort occupied by the better-paid expatriates.
A resident arrived at the flats just after 10 at night, and as the guard rushed to open the gates another car pulled in behind and suddenly, as if from nowhere, [there] were five gunmen.
The driver was taken hostage back to his flat and it was ransacked. When they had finished with the first guy they lay in wait for the second and then a third car to arrive at the gates.
In the meantime the guards pressed the "back-up" button but no back-up came. I met the victims and they all felt that security could have been tighter when the truth is, once that gunman points the gun at you, the game is already lost.
There is nothing you can do except agree to everything and do as you are told. To do otherwise is to court death a little too closely.
So survival is all about keeping alert with your wits about you. Even more so this festive season.
Like I said, there is no way you can get away when you have been cornered, and nor should you try. No amount of guards are ever going to help when a gun is at your head. After all, they're not armed.
What is the answer then? Well it's the same as for almost everything else; prevention is better than cure. It is far better to prevent a car-jacking than it is to get us to recover your car.
So be alert and try to follow all the basic principles, not just of driving, but survival skills in general. Here are a few to think about: … Don't carry too much cash, and don't let anyone see that you have any.
If you've had to go to the bank, don't rush straight to the car. Have a good check around and make sure no-one is following you.
… When walking to a parked car in the street or in a car park, walk straight past it then turn round and look. Are the robbers hiding in the bushes, under the car next door or simply following you? Only go back to the car when you are sure that you are not being followed or checked.
… Unlock the door and then have a good
look round before getting in. If you have electronic locking that
opens all the doors with just a key in the driver's door then
disable it. As soon as you've open the driver's door
you've given the thief that chance to get in the other side, and
there is nothing you can do about it.
… Once in the car start the engine. If you have to have the window open, don't open it until you have started to drive away. Of course a window won't stop a bullet but if the window is closed the thief can't grab you by the throat.
… Try not to have to stop at night. When you come up to a road junction slow down and gently cruise up looking all the time, ready for a quick getaway.
… Change you routines too, maybe by only five minutes or so, but don't be creature of habit. Change you routes and times regularly.
… When you get to your gates draw parallel to them, not nose on, and then put the car into reverse. No, not for a quick getaway but so the lights come on and you can see what's happening behind.
… If you're waiting for someone don't sit in the car, keys in the ignition, windows wide open. Get out and lock the car and wait nearby.
It's all about common sense really. Common sense and being alert. Don't just sit back and enjoy the ride. It may not be much fun at the end of it.
Let's see: Each time I go to my car I walk past, look around, then come back. I cruise through intersections, never stopping, and I keep the windows up even though the glass won't stop a bullet, because someone might grab me by the throat.
Um, son, would you like to take the car tonight? I think I'm getting a cold.
Comments should be directed to the newspaper:
This new section of my homepage will be devoted to events or statements which pique my interest and deserve either a brutal shaking-out or a simple "lookee here." In a perfect world this page will change weekly. We both know this won't happen, but it will change from time to time.
EKW
