CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A volunteer effort to reduce carjackings at gas stations in Chicago appears to be working.
Members of Community First Safe Pump Initiative have been guarding some South Side gas stations every Saturday morning for 13 weeks.
These so-called protectors of the pumps are seeing results too.
As CBS 2 reported, carjackings are down from 200 in January to 80 last month.
A woman, who preferred to only go by Melissa, is among those volunteering to help drivers feel safe.
“The people are like, more relaxed, and not so [tense]. And [they] aren’t so on guard. They’re kind of strolling in and out,” Melissa said.
Organizer Steven Dejoie said they’d love to spend their weekends sleeping in but with warmer weather and turbulent times here, he predicts they will be needed for a while.
Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said during a March press conference that nearly half of the people arrested on motor vehicle-related charges, including carjackings, this year have been juveniles.
Though suspects use the carjacked vehicles to sell for parts and to commit other crimes, the “No. 1 reason” for carjackings is joyriding, the CPD superintendent said.
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