Safety First : Carjackings Have Changed How--and What--Society Matrons Drive in O.C.

The sleek Rolls-Royce sits in her Newport Beach garage, veiled in dust.

These days, she’s happy to have the old blue-gray Mercedes to drive when she whips solo around Orange County, shopping, attending committee meetings, charity lunches and dinners.

“I feel safe in it,” confides one of the area’s prominent arts activists. “It’s a diesel. Not a desirable car.”

As a hub of community activism, Orange County has hundreds of charity volunteers--most of them well-heeled women--tooling around town day and night in luxury cars. But the recent flurry of carjackings has many of them thinking twice about what they drive and where they park.

“I never did like driving the Rolls,” the socialite adds, almost in a whisper. “It has a status that seems to offend. When I’ve driven it I’ve had kids make obscene gestures at me.

“I doubt if a Rolls is on any carjacker’s list. It’s so obvious. But, why take a chance?”

Another high-profile woman on the charity party circuit is grateful that her Jaguar is black. “It’s sedate, low-key,” she explains, reassuring herself. “I’d never drive my husband’s attention-getter--a tomato-red Jag,” she says. “I also have a cute little ’72 Mercedes. But I never drive it-- haven’t for years. It’s one of those cars that would get stolen and stripped in a minute.”

When she’s on the road in Orange County, she makes it a point to be extremely aware of her surroundings. “I always make sure I’m in the left lane when I have to stop. And I never park in a parking structure. If I can’t find a safe, open place to park, I leave the area--come back another time,” she says.

Another high-profile community activist, president of her own multimillion-dollar company, drives her Rolls-Royce on a daily basis. But with a healthy dose of caution. “Being in business, I have to go when I have to go,” she says. “I cannot allow fear to bother me. But I do make it a point to park in a safe place--under a light, close to an entrance--and I have two phones, one in my car and one I have with me at all times.

“I’m inclined to think a Rolls is not the kind of car a carjacker would seek out,” she adds. “It’s not a vehicle with parts that are easy to strip and send across the border.”

When she’s out socially day or night, she prefers to visit a facility with valet parking. “It’s not only a nice service,” she says. “I think it’s imperative when you’re out at night alone.”

The other two women agree. “I keep my doors locked and head for a place where I will be greeted personally and my car cared for,” says one.

“The best thing about using valet parking is knowing you won’t be walking alone to your car,” says the other.

George Marx, director of valet parking for the Center Club--a posh Costa Mesa haven where hundreds of charity events are staged annually--says he’d probably lay down his life for one of his clients.

“I wouldn’t put it past myself to risk my life if someone were in danger,” he says. “It is my job to protect our members and their cars.”

But Marx--who has greeted luminaries ranging from Margaret Thatcher to George Burns--feels members and their guests are safe at the Center Club. “We have security in the building and security in the Performing Arts Center. They’d be here in seconds if there was trouble.”

Members of the Balboa Bay Club feel so secure when their car is valet-parked, they’ve been known to leave fine jewelry and furs on the seats when they hand over their wheels.

“They trust us; they know we’re here to protect their cars and the contents,” says Eric Ley, who helps park about 12,000 automobiles a year at the beachside club. “We’re very secure here. We have a guard gate. And our parking lot is directly in front of where we stand.”

At South Coast Plaza, three valet stations are available for shoppers. “When it comes to parking a customer’s car, it’s always safety first,” says Hisham, valet parking superintendent. “We do not expect to see carjackers here; this mall is crawling with security.”

People used to patronize a valet service more for convenience than safety.

But that’s changing. Now, safety is a primary consideration.

And why not? A decent tip for a valet is a mere $2 or $3, Marx says.

Small price to pay for peace of mind.