iPod Blamed For Rise In Crime

As if threats of terrorism and recession weren’t enough, now there’s something else to worry about – the iPod crime spree! According to crime statistics, violent crime has been on the decline since the early 90s. But statistics show that trend changed in 2005 and researchers at Washington’s Urban Institute say iPod muggings are to blame.

iCrime is apparently on the rise, that’s what the Institute is calling the theft of small portable gadgets like the iPod. FBI statistics say robbery has risen from 137 per 100,000 people in 2004 to 141 per 100,000 in 2005 and 149 in 2006. These numbers have been the source of the overall violent crime rate’s increase despite drops in other violent offenses like rape and aggravated assault. The rise corresponds with the period where Apple sold about 5 million iPods and the gadget became a cultural icon.

Researchers see several key conditions being met that contributes to the iCrime-wave: The iPod is a portable item worth hundreds of dollars, perfect for an unencumbered quick score. The telltale white ear-buds are a beacon to potential perps that this individual is distracted and won’t hear someone coming up behind them.

Subway officials in New York and San Francisco have reported dramatic increases in iPod thefts. Some local news reports have claimed iPods are the new must-steal item for thieves replacing the oft’ absconded Air Jordans.

Urban Institute researcher John Roman points out that the robbery rate increase has mainly been among juveniles and not adults.

But there are holes in the theory that iPods are the focus of recent increases in crime. Because of increases in other crimes, like a slight increase in murder over the same period, Roman acknowledges it’s possible “we’ve got our causation backwards”. There is no hard evidence that iPod muggings and the increase in robberies are connected.

Jack McDevitt, associate dean of Northeastern University College of Criminal Justices says: “There has been a lot of anecdotal evidence of cell phones, iPods, GPS systems that have been targets for theft. No research can tell us those wouldn't have been substituted for other things.”

Avoid iCrime

Use alternative headphones to Apple's white ear-buds and you won't be pegged as carrying an iPod. It’s always a good idea to keep the volume low enough to be aware of your environment.