SEATTLE — Seattle is one of seven cities nationwide to form a carjacking task force as part of an effort to reduce violent crime by the Department of Justice.
The work comes after other task forces which the DOJ developed in Chicago, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and Tampa proved successful in bringing down carjacking rates.
The task force, headed up by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington, will bring together the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Seattle police and the Kent Police Department to reduce carjackings in the region. Attorney Tessa Gorman also indicated that adults who use juveniles to commit carjackings could face "significant" federal penalties.
“We see people who are just driving along the streets and see them become victims of this very violent and troubling act,” said Tess M. Gorman, U.S. Attorney for Western Washington. “We're going to look at every single carjacking case in these jurisdictions and decide which jurisdiction is most appropriate to charge, intervene and disrupt this conduct."
The agencies will come together to outline how they will share and act on information related to car thefts, carjackings and recovery of stolen or suspect vehicles, according to a press release from the DOJ. Task forces nationwide will also collaborate on how to use federal sentencing enhancements in cases where adults use juveniles to commit carjackings and ensure appropriate handling of juvenile suspects. Task forces will also assist local agencies who seek DOJ funding for juvenile intervention and diversion resources.
The Southern District of Mississippi, the Eastern District of Louisiana, the Northern District of California, the Northern District of Alabama, the Eastern District of Texas and the District of Oregon will also be forming carjacking task forces.
Nearly one year ago, Amare Geda, a husband and father, was carjacked and killed in Sodo while on the job as an Uber driver.
“It’s been really devastating for his family and for the rideshare driver community,” said Ahmed Mumin, Executive Director of Seattle Rideshare Driver Association. “Most importantly, he was someone that when you need something he put all the effort in,” Mumin said.
“Just within this year, we have had 10 carjackings just within the rideshare community, that’s being reported to our organization. It just shows since the beginning of the year if nothing is done this might end up getting worse,” Mumin said.