iPod Crime Surge

[Randy Twizzle]

From the NY Daily News

iPod users had better start keeping their eyes - as well as their ears - open on trains and on the streets.

Thefts of the music-playing gizmos, game-playing cell phones and other popular electronic devices are the new trend in subway crime - and are partly responsible for an underground crime surge this year, police said yesterday.

But it's not just subway riders who are getting hit - iPodders are increasingly being targeted above ground, too, police sources said.

"iPods have made bus stops a choice location for purse snatching," one police source said.

Subway felonies overall are up 14% through mid March, compared with the same time period last year. Underground robberies are up nearly 20%, according to police statistics.

"The robbery increase is linked to a rash of forced taking of cell phones and iPods by juveniles from other juveniles," NYPD Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne said.

Another police source, however, said it's not just teens committing the crimes.

"Kids are shaking down other kids for iPods, but adult crooks like them, too," the source said. "Word is out that teachers wear iPods, so snatch-and-grabs are big around schools."

Police have been attacking the trend in the subways with "impact teams," each with eight officers and a sergeant, on lines and at stations where robberies are up, Browne said.

The iPodders stand out with their telltale white earphones - a dead giveaway they're plugged into a music machine that runs hundreds of dollars. Glen Fox, 26, an advertising agency editor, nearly had his iPod lifted on a Manhattan subway three weeks ago.

He felt a series of bumps and spied a young man pulling his iPod out of his jacket pocket. "I yelled and cursed," he said.

Eric Diaz, 19, a teacher's assistant in the Bronx, had an unattended iPod stolen from his office at school. He has no fears, however, on the subway. "I'm a black belt [in karate] so I'm not worried," he said.

One cop who works the L line in Brooklyn said the thefts often take place at night.

The crooks grab an iPod and jump off trains just as the doors are closing - an old-time technique that's proven useful in snatching the high-tech devices. "They time it right and they're home free," the officer said.

Browne stressed that although the crime spike has brought the subway system up to about 10 felonies a day, that's well below the 12 to 17 seen daily in 1995-2000.

[Jim Alfredson]

The easy solution to this would be to use different earphones. Shure E2's are a nice alternative.

[Guest che]

And I have just gone and ordered one of these

Che.

[.:.impossible]

Keep your wallet, and your ipod, in the inside chest pocket of your jacket. What? You're not wearing a jacket?

[John L]

Now that Bronson has been acquitted, they can get busy on the next Death Wish movie.

Bronson will wear the trademark white earplugs and connect them to some sort of device that looks like an iPod, but gives off tremendous electrical shocks. After the teenage punks get zapped while trying to run off the metro, Bronson will move in for the kill.

Edited March 30, 2005 by John L

[Man with the Golden Arm]

Now that Bronson has been acquitted, they can get busy on the next Death Wish movie.

Bronson will wear the trademark white earplugs and connect them to some sort of device that looks like an iPod, but gives off tremendous electrical shocks. After the teenage punks get zapped while trying to run off the metro, Bronson will move in for the kill.

Acquitted? dang, I thought he was just dead.

[Guy Berger]

The easy solution to this would be to use different earphones. Shure E2's are a nice alternative.

I hate those earphones. They always get tangled up. So one more reason to get something less conspicuous.

It seems like most of the thefts, at least on the subway, don't involve actual force. So if you keep it in a safe place you should be alright.

Guy

[Jazz Kat]

I can't even download music from my computer. How much jazz is actually available on those downloading websites?

[Jazzmoose]

Now that Bronson has been acquitted, they can get busy on the next Death Wish movie. 

Bronson will wear the trademark white earplugs and connect them to some sort of device that looks like an iPod, but gives off tremendous electrical shocks.  After the teenage punks get zapped while trying to run off the metro, Bronson will move in for the kill.

Acquitted? dang, I thought he was just dead.

Forget Johnnie Cochran, now that's a fuckin' lawyer!!!

[Dan Gould]

Now that Bronson has been acquitted, they can get busy on the next Death Wish movie. 

Bronson will wear the trademark white earplugs and connect them to some sort of device that looks like an iPod, but gives off tremendous electrical shocks.  After the teenage punks get zapped while trying to run off the metro, Bronson will move in for the kill.

Acquitted? dang, I thought he was just dead.

Bronson, Baretta, you say tomato, I say, "Well? Are you feeling lucky, punk?"

[Brad]

Mostly use it in the gym (a company one) so I'm not too concerned.

[Jazz Kat]

I remember one of my classmates brought one into school. Man what a load of crap on that i-pod. B-)