“iPods Don’t Cause Crime, People Do”

At least that’s the opinion of one reader of the recently posted New York Times article, “Are iPods to Blame for Rising Crime?”  The article is based on a report from The Urban Institute that suggests the proliferation of iPods aided the national violent crime rate to rise over the last couple of years.

The article and report are kind of boring.  It suggests the surge of thefts of iPods is due to the devices mainstream success.   In the past it was your expensive tennis shoes or North Face jackets that were sure to increase you chances of becoming a victim of theft.  Those were a small group compared to iPod users.   iPods are used by everybody.  It’s a target rich environment for crooks.

Also cited are the following reasons…

• iPods have no easily accessible anti-theft protection

• iPods do not require a subscription

• iPods may be stolen for their status, not resold

• iPod uses are distracted

These factors make iPod users an easy target.

The best part of the article are the comments at the end.  Viewers blame everything from Republicans to the President of Iran for the rise in iPod thefts.  But the best comment was from a viewer named “twowheeler”…

Ever since I got my Zune, nobody has mugged me.  Coincidence?”

 

Good one twowheeler, probably very true.  

Category: In the News