Metro says thefts of electronic devices rise
Metro says thefts of electronic devices are on the rise, and the transit agency is urging riders to keep phones and music players concealed.
There were 894 reports of robberies in the transit system in 2009 — an increase of more than 50 percent from the year before.
Metro officials say that in one typical scenario, thieves spot riders who are sitting or standing near train doors with phones or music players in their hands. When the doors open, a thief will grab the device and run out just as the doors close.
Metro is launching a new public awareness campaign, urging people to be alert, keep devices concealed and not stand near the doors.
The agency has also doubled its robbery unit, whose members work mostly in plain clothes to try to stop crimes in progress.
--Associated Press
By
Washington Post Editors
| March 21, 2010; 11:34 AM ET
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Posted by: thebossman | March 21, 2010 6:15 PM | Report abuse
I can see how this would be....I am always amazed at those putting their phones in their pockets without any sort of security for it.
I always make sure that my pockets are locked and any money is in my wallet and not pockets
Posted by: Bious | March 21, 2010 8:29 PM | Report abuse
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When I was in Medellin, Colombia, I was taught the right way to do it to avoid a snatch and grab on their Metro system: set your playlist ahead of time, and then put your player in a pocket and run the headphones through your clothing. That way, you can still enjoy your player, but theives can't tell which pocket it's in. Ever since I returned, this is how I've done it on our Metro.