DOJ Works To Address Carjackings in Cities

(USNewsBreak.com) – While violent crime across the United States is trending downward as a whole, one particular category seems to have been on the rise: carjackings. The FBI reported in late 2023 that in 2022, carjackings were up by more than 8% from the previous year. Now, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is increasing its efforts to address the trend.

In an April 17 press release, the DOJ announced the formation of several carjacking task forces established by 11 US attorneys’ offices nationwide, expanding from DC to Oregon. Multiple agencies will coordinate the task forces, including the FBI, the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and local, tribal, state, and territorial law enforcement. Federal resources will go toward “identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime.”

The Justice Department (DOJ) is ramping up efforts to target carjackings in Washington, Chicago and several other cities in a new initiative.https://t.co/vYMrW2QPYP

— The Hill (@thehill) April 18, 2024

According to Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, four task forces are already operating, and the Justice Department is adding seven more, for a total of 11. The DOJ decided to add more teams because the existing local task forces have already achieved a modicum of success.

For example, in Philadelphia, carjacking incidents are down 31% from 2022 to 2023. Meanwhile, in DC, they have dropped 28% this year compared to the same timeframe last year. Speaking to The Associated Press, Monaco said while existing teams have made substantial progress, there’s “absolutely much more to do.”

The DOJ has targeted Oregon, California, Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Washington, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Florida, and the District of Columbia as task force locations.

The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced on April 18 that efforts in its state have already proved fruitful despite being relatively new. A federal grand jury recently indicted a 41-year-old Portland resident, Raheim Carter, on several charges, including carjacking, illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.