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(TND) — Carjackings in the nation's capital are up 106% from last year.

And just last weekend a 13-year-old boy was fatally shot while allegedly
trying to carry out a carjacking on an off-duty federal security officer.

Nearly two-thirds of those arrested in D.C. this year for carjacking have
been juveniles, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

"It certainly seems to be sort of crimes of opportunity, mostly juveniles
going out and taking advantage of what they see," Lt. Scott Dowling of an
MPD carjacking task force told WJLA TV.

About three-quarters of the city’s carjackings have involved a gun.

These violent crimes are a concern, but officers have a tough time
catching the perpetrators.

Dowling’s special unit only has 14 officers, and the department has only
made 135 carjacking arrests so far this year.

"They're very difficult to close,” the lieutenant said. “I've seen
hundreds of them on video at this point. They happen in a matter of
seconds. The victims are not able to identify the offenders. They're
masked, they're gloved, and it just happens very, very quickly.”


There’s also no easy fix to the problem.

Jermaine House, the director of communications for safety and justice
issues at the Urban Institute, said modernization of criminal codes is a strategy to curb crime.

The D.C. Council underwent a multiyear process to upgrade its criminal
code before Congress intervened this winter, House said.

“It's also worth noting that Americans (favor) innovative/smart measures
to curtail crime. Yet, this is another instance where political interests sometimes overshadow the broader consensus,” he said via email.

Congress has authority over D.C. affairs and reviews the capital city’s legislation before it can become law.

The changes, which passed the D.C. Council last November, would have
lowered penalties for some violent offenses and expanded the right to a
jury trial for those charged with misdemeanors but facing jail time.

Some Democrats, including President Joe Biden, joined Republicans in
rejecting the changes in the city’s criminal sentencing laws.

“I support D.C. Statehood and home-rule – but I don’t support some of the changes D.C. Council put forward over the Mayor’s objections – such as
lowering penalties for carjackings,” the president said on social media at
the time.



As national leaders debated the District's criminal code, one senator introduced a bill that would strip federal carjacking convicts of their
ability to get an early release from prison.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., brought forward the "No Early Release for
Carjackers Act" in March. It’s been read and referred to committee.

Federal carjacking convictions can carry maximum penalties ranging between
15 years to life in prison, or even the death penalty, depending on if a
victim is hurt or killed during the crime.

But the solution, if there is one, isn’t as simple as harsher penalties,
said Naida Henao, head of engagement at the Network for Victim Recovery of
DC.

“I think the solution lies somewhere in investigating the root causes of
crime that drive not only carjackings, but any other type of community violence,” she said Thursday.

Those motivating factors can include poverty and inequality, she said.

And she said a carjacker is probably not thinking about the consequences.

She said city leaders need to address the root causes of criminal behavior
as opposed to “a Band-Aid on something that is more complicated than what
folks will want to hear.”

Dowling, the police lieutenant, also said it’s not just a police problem.

“It's a systemic problem,” he told WJLA. “What's happening in schools or
at home, or whatever it may be, how do the people get to the point that
they're going out and committing multiple violent offenses over and over
again? It might be before they reach the judicial system or we put our
hands on them."

But there are criminal justice approaches that can help, he said.

“Secure detention” for the suspects they catch is a good start, Dowling
said.

Most of the carjacking suspects are juveniles, but judges are not allowed
to hold them because of the way family court is structured, WJLA reported.

The D.C. Council passed an emergency bill that includes a provision
allowing judges to hold suspects of carjackings, including juveniles,
until their trial, according to WJLA.

That bill was supposed to expire recently, but council members extended it
for another 90 days.

And councilmembers are looking at a bill that would make the measure
permanent.

Dowling said the city needs to keep repeat offenders off the streets.

The MPD has some tips to avoid being a carjacking victim, regardless of
where you live:
Keep your doors locked and windows rolled up.

Travel with someone whenever possible, especially at night.

When you are coming to a stop, leave enough room to maneuver around other
cars, especially if you sense trouble and need to get away.

Don’t stop to assist a stranger whose car has broken down. Use your
cellphone to call police for help.

Park in well-lit areas.

Never leave valuables out in open view, even if the car is locked.

Even if you’re rushed, look around before you get out and stay alert to
your surroundings.

https://thenationaldesk.com/news/americas-news-now/dc-carjackings-rocket- up-106-from-a-year-ago-crime-justice-system-juveniles-court-penalties- root-causes-law-enforcement-public-safety#

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