UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — One day after federal prosecutors announced a region-wide carjacking task force, Prince George's County says they are also launching a task force to help quell the growing problem. But the state's attorney says this one is different.
Prince George's State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy said she's hoping her new task force will help stop a tidal wave of sometimes deadly attacks often committed by young people.
The announcement comes several months after D.C. launched its own carjacking task force.
"Those task forces are made up of law enforcement agencies," Braveboy said. "Our task force is made up of people. Yes, we have law enforcement partners. But we have community leaders."
Prince George's County has recruited community groups to produce videos targeted at young people and to focus on mentoring, counseling and treatment. Prosecutors say there were nearly 100 more carjackings in the county last year than the year before, and Prince George's is on track for another violent record.
Among them is the death of security guard and Iraqi immigrant Riyahd al-Janabi, 23, who was allegedly murdered for the sports car he loved so much he posted pictures of it all over his Facebook page.
"Does that case haunt me? Yes," Braveboy said. "But I can tell you there are so many cases that haunt me because this is my community."
Organizers will have to find a way to reach young people. Prosecutors said 41 juveniles were charged with carjacking in Prince George's County last year. They're already up to 20 more young alleged carjackers so far this year.