The weather heats up and so does crime
Some basic tips to avoid being a victim
06/11/2012 11:14 AM
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I grimly read the rundown of yesterday’s local crime including the man walking home in the Gold Coast who was beaten by a large group and robbed of his iPhone. This morning at the bus stop, I spotted a couple of people futzing with their iPhones in plain view, all of them potential victims.
At dimly lit Blue Line CTA platforms, I routinely see fellow passengers with their iPads and Kindles and Nooks, also likely candidates to fall victim to a grab-and-run. Commuters dangling expensive electronic devices make it so easy for thieves that pickpocketing seems almost quaint.
You can work yourself up into a frenzy by scanning the Clearmap Crime Incident reports link from the City of Chicago website. Primitive icons of masks indicate the generic category of “larceny/theft.”
I suppose one way of avoiding being a victim is to steer clear of public places altogether. You could become a hermit and have all your meals delivered by grubhub.
Or, you can take a few fairly basic precautions. These sound intuitive and overly basic, but you’d be surprised how many people make themselves victims:
· If you carry valuables, keep them in your pockets, not in your purse.
· Keep your phone in your pocket when walking down a crowded street.
· Don’t leave your wireless phone or tablet out on a table in a busy bar or restaurant.
· Avoid getting your electronic device out on an empty bus or train late at night.
· Be wary if someone is acting nervous and gets too close to you. Avoid being alone with them. If the person follows you, go to a nearby business or walk briskly across the street and if possible, walk with other people.