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September 27, 2007

ipod

Are iPods a cause of violent crime?

Posted Sep. 27, ’07, 5:29 PM PT by Aaron Freedman
Category | iPod

Ipodsteal-1 It’s common knowledge here in New York City that when riding the subway and walking around in certain neighborhoods, it’s best not to flash your fancy new iPod. But could these little media playing devices actually be causing a rise in crime? Well, that’s what a report by The Urban Institute suggests.

The report gives three main reasons for why the rise in iPods and robbery are related, not coincidental. This basically comes down to robbery growing more than theft and burglary, the fact that most of the new robbery crimes are committed by minors, who covet iPods more than their adult counterparts, and that the large increase in robberies, from 2004 to 2006, occurred during the exact same time the iPod gained huge mass-market appeal. The report also states a variety or reasons for iPods being more susceptible to crime than other similarly-valued objects, including its lack of accessible anti-theft protection and the distinct look of the device.

So, while I think that the rise in crime and iPods are no coincidence, I also don’t think that Steve Jobs is the cause of mass lawlessness across the country. The truth of the matter is that with immense market saturation and appeal, any small, portable device can become susceptible to mass theft. But this doesn’t mean that you should toss out your ‘pod in favor of something less valuable (read: Zune); just that you should be more careful with your media player outside instead of zoning out with those little white ‘buds in your ears.

[via City Room]


3 Comments

Anonymous said:

2 years ago, 17 year old Joe Van Holsbeek was stabbed to dead in the main hall of Brussels Central train station during rush hour because he didn't want to give his iPod to a young guy who asked for it...

September 28, 2007 5:04 AM
krye said:

Don't wear white headphones on the train/bus. You're an easy target.

I have also seen, as funny as it is, a website that sells ipod cases shaped like a Zune. I can't remember their name, but you can probably Google for it.

September 28, 2007 5:34 AM
Katy said:

How can an object CAUSE violent crime? PEOPLE cause crime, and their desire to steal what doesn't belong to them. What's the point supposed to be? That if the ipod didn't exist, the thieves who steal would stop stealing? Or just perhaps they'd steal something else!

I really wonder where the brains are of the morons who come up with crap like this.

September 29, 2007 12:27 AM

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