Enrollment up in carjacking self-defense class

The number of carjackings across the metro continues to increase. Just last week, the Minneapolis Police Department said the city has experienced a 38% jump this year.

Valley Self-Defense, in Stillwater, has started teaching prevention classes for carjackings and similar crimes, and there seems to be plenty of interest; they say enrollment is up 50%.

Instructor Peter Eisenberg says there are a few simple things you can do to help stay safe, like waiting to unlock your car until you’re right in front of it and programming the keys so that only the driver door unlocks, rather than all of them.

He also says being aware of your surroundings is key, as suspects will often try to distract their victims.

"They might knock on the window of the car and say, ‘I think you just hit me,’ or come up at a stoplight and say something is wrong with your vehicle. They might ask to borrow your phone… anything to take your mind off what is happening," he said.

"I want everyone to pay attention to their surroundings and maybe put the phone down when they are coming and going from the car," Eisenberg added.

He says, in most cases, you shouldn’t fight back.

"Nothing is more important than your life," he said.