Smartphone Muggings
Beware of the rise in
smartphone muggings:
The Associated Press reports that smartphone robberies now account
for nearly half of all robberies in San Francisco, as well as an
impressive 40 percent here in New York City. And the numbers aren't just
high, they're getting higher fast. In Los Angeles, smartphone robberies
are up 27 percent from last year, with no signs of slowing down.
The
thefts come in all varieties as well. Victims have reported having
their phones—iPhones in particular (surprise!)—yanked out of their hands
while talking, snatched just as public transit reaches a stop, or even
taken at gunpoint. Gunpoint.
...[T]he best defense is to just be smart. Don't flash that thing around when
you can avoid it and hold on tight. And it won't keep it from getting
stolen, but back that sucker up just in case; it'll soften the blow.
Whatever you do, be careful. That's a lot of money in your pocket.
(Via
Slashdot and
Instapundit.)
