NYC crime rate up for first time in 20 years thanks to Apple thefts - SlashGear

Originally Posted by Kaykaykay

NYC crime rate up for first time in 20 years thanks to Apple thefts - SlashGear

Within what seemed like a couple of days was the NYC MTA announcement of a new subway app called Subway Time that encourages users to use their iPads and other iOS devices.

crime is up because Mayor Bloomberg is not tackling crime properly with extra resources. bring former mayor Rudy Guillani and see how this crime spree drops. Mayor Bloomberg is an idiot to insinuate that New Yorkers should use more android phones to help cu own crime

I don't know about that, GK. Mobile devices on subways and lots and lots of people makes crime increase very likely. Crime must increase before measures can be taken to combat it and users need to be more aware before pulling them out in subways. Apple devices have the best resale value still, but I don't think it will be long before android phones start getting ripped off too, especially the top super phones.

Forget lame theories about who's mayor or not. Such thefts are happening elsewhere at similar levels. For instance, in San Francisco:

BART Tackling Fraudulent Ticket Sales, Thefts Of Apple Products: News: SFAppeal

In London:

Shocking rise in iPhone theft with 300 mobiles stolen every day in London crime wave - Crime - News - London Evening Standard

In Washington, DC:

?Snatch-and-grab? robberies of electronic devices up in Metro - Washington Post

Note this part:

"We’ve had a great increase in the snatching of iPhones and iPads over the last couple of years, not just here but in transit systems across the country,” Metro Transit Police Chief Michael Taborn said.

Wow....

Hardware makers and carriers can, and IMO should, block every device reported stolen. Brick them.

Buyers should be suspicious of buying used items.

And owners need to be more careful (and informed).

For me, the worst things with a stolen mobile device would be getting hurt or having data stolen and fraudulently used. I use an iPod touch as a disposable device on subways and in other circumstances I consider questionable, rather than phone or iPads. I have books, audiobooks and music on my touch, so that I won't sweat it if it's stolen. Even then, I try to stay aware of my surroundings.

Originally Posted by Kaykaykay

Hardware makers and carriers can, and IMO should, block every device reported stolen. Brick them.

Buyers should be suspicious of buying used items.

And owners need to be more careful (and informed).

For me, the worst things with a stolen mobile device would be getting hurt or having data stolen and fraudulently used. I use an iPod touch as a disposable device on subways and in other circumstances I consider questionable, rather than phone or iPads. I have books, audiobooks and music on my touch, so that I won't sweat it if it's stolen. Even then, I try to stay aware of my surroundings.

I agree with Kaykaykay completely. Every time I see a post saying "please help me I've lost my password and can't use my iPad" I immediately think....oh yeah, I bet. I am beginning to think that we are aiding and abetting felonies by teaching how to set iPads into DFU mode so they can be returned to factory fresh, never been stolen mode. Apple should have the power to immediately brick the reported device, which, if generally known, would make the theft of them useless. But....there again....that's just MHO. 8)