NYPD: Subway Cell Service Good News For Thieves

(James Thilman/Gothamist)

In today's news of the duh, police have acknowledged that there is another big downside to having more subway stations in which you can use your cellphone: More crime! See, "more signal in subway stations and platforms is leading to more robberies," a commanding officer of Downtown Brooklyn’s 84th Precinct told the Post. Who would ever have thought that more people having their expensive pocket computers out in public view would lead to an increase in them being stolen?

Seriously though, as we've talked about quite a bit lately, subway grand larceny has been on the rise, having bounced nearly 22 percent this year. Not that the NYPD is lying on its laurels. For the past month they've been adding extra subway patrols on weekends as part of Operation Total Impact.

Anyway, here's where we put the usual boilerplate about common sense on the subway: Hold onto your valuables, especially when near subway car doors and platform stairs.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Garth Johnston in News on October 24, 2011 2:42 PM

Comments [rss]

Eggcream

Well, you can call a cop now when you're being mugged. That's progress.

69GeorgeWBush69

Having to walk behind someone with their eyes on their iPad/Kindle/iPhone and not on where they are going is probably the most obnoxious thing about my daily commute. Thieves should target these people. Not only would they get a new toy but also my applause.

ronshapley

walk all over these jerks !!!

Tower18

Only a few stations in Manhattan have cell service...how is that leading to robberies in the 84th Precinct in Brooklyn?

Jeanne S

People using their devices to listen to music, read a novel, play a game...

Andrew

You expect the NYPD to know that?

Guest

The only thing I can think of is that part of the the Atlantic Ave stop, which is in the 84, has cell phone service from the LIRR. But that is nothing new. So I don't really know

LtWorf

Subway crime? There's no such thing.

Now excuse me while I whip out my $800 IPad on the A train.

yamon

One genius today was reading his ipad in one hand while exiting the 42nd st station into the typical staircase bedlam - at least two peoples shoulders knocked into him and the device. I didn't catch if he dropped it or perhaps snatched from his hand but certainly there's a severe case of stupid prevalent in some people's dealings with their shiny things.

LtWorf

I've noticed exactly the same scenario you've stated several times now. Things will only get worse.

Don't worry though. Perhaps they'll learn a thing or two once they drop & break the damn thing, or get jacked.

Apple must be making a killing selling accident insurance.