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Increase in iPhone and iPad Thefts Accounts for Rise in New York City Crime Index

Drunken Master

Drunken Master

macrumors 65816
Jul 19, 2011
1,060
0
Mr.damien said:
There is another country where you can even let your keys on your car without being stolen and that doesn't need to cut hand of people: Japan.
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Exactly. It's called being civilized.

I think if someone were to grab an iPhone out of a lady's hand on the subway and run here in Taiwan, it would probably be front page news and on the TV.

Everyone on the metro here is on a iPhone, iPad or Android device at all hours. Just the thought that some brute would grab it out of your hand is untenable.
 
MacDav

MacDav

macrumors 65816
Mar 24, 2004
1,031
0
Drunken Master said:
Exactly. It's called being civilized.

I think if someone were to grab an iPhone out of a lady's hand on the subway and run here in Taiwan, it would probably be front page news and on the TV.

Everyone on the metro here is on a iPhone, iPad or Android device at all hours. Just the thought that some brute would grab it out of your hand is untenable.
Click to expand...

Why is that so?
 
AidenShaw

AidenShaw

macrumors P6
Feb 8, 2003
18,667
4,676
The Peninsula
Drunken Master said:
Exactly. It's called being civilized.

I think if someone were to grab an iPhone out of a lady's hand on the subway and run here in Taiwan, it would probably be front page news and on the TV.

Everyone on the metro here is on a iPhone, iPad or Android device at all hours. Just the thought that some brute would grab it out of your hand is untenable.
Click to expand...

MacDav said:
Why is that so?
Click to expand...

Drunken Master said:
Why is what so?
Click to expand...

To be fair, Drunken Master had three distinct claims in the OP - so the word "that" is quite ambiguous....
 
X

xdxdaustin

macrumors regular
Sep 28, 2010
191
41
Connecticut, United States
cameronjpu said:
Seriously, you shouldn't make a joke like that after god flooded the earth. Or after the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs. This kind of joke just doesn't fly in a post-asteroid world.

:rolleyes:

If you have no sense of humor whatsoever, you might want to get off the internet.
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Theres quite a bit of difference between a sense of humor, and making remarks such as the ones I mentioned. Its the same thing as saying your going to kill someone; its not taken as a joke anymore.
 
C

cameronjpu

macrumors 65816
Aug 24, 2007
1,367
78
xdxdaustin said:
Theres quite a bit of difference between a sense of humor, and making remarks such as the ones I mentioned. Its the same thing as saying your going to kill someone; its not taken as a joke anymore.
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A - it's not the same as that, that's ridiculous. B - get a sense of humor. Or at least lose the giant rod... people die in terrible, unfair ways all the time, and have since the beginning of time. Just because you're too uptight to ignore something you don't find amusing doesn't mean the rest of us have to pretend like this is the first massacre ever. Grow up.
 
MacDav

MacDav

macrumors 65816
Mar 24, 2004
1,031
0
Drunken Master said:
Why is what so?
Click to expand...

Well, I guess you do have a point. The "what" I'm wondering about (and I really think my question is unanswerable and even rhetorical in a sense). What is the reason people in Japan and Taiwan don't run around stealing iPhones or anything else? I realize there are many expert explanations for this. None of these expert explanations really hold water in my opinion. As one who apparently lives in Taiwan, why do you think this is.

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AidenShaw said:
To be fair, Drunken Master had three distinct claims in the OP - so the word "that" is quite ambiguous....
Click to expand...

Thanks for your expertise. I don't know what I'd do without you. I'd like to try though. :)
 
Drunken Master

Drunken Master

macrumors 65816
Jul 19, 2011
1,060
0
MacDav said:
Well, I guess you do have a point. The "what" I'm wondering about (and I really think my question is unanswerable and even rhetorical in a sense). What is the reason people in Japan and Taiwan don't run around stealing iPhones or anything else? I realize there are many expert explanations for this. None of these expert explanations really hold water in my opinion. As one who apparently lives in Taiwan, why do you think this is.
Click to expand...


I can only go off the expert opinions, but most people her don't commit petty crimes. Now there is still lots of white collar crime and gangster activity (as in most places) but most people don't think to commit theft at any level. Lots of people, for example, park their bikes in places and don't chain them up. The odds of someone taking your bike are slim to none. Same for being pick pocketed or having an iPhone stolen if you leave it on a table for a minute.

I think it has to do with education. Those kinds of things are done by low-class people with a sense of entitlement, and who feel they are owed something by society. With that comes a sense that they have been wronged somehow (whether real or just perceived). Some people make the argument that America has so much crime and violence because of the sheer number of different races, nationalities and religions clashing together in the less-than-idyllic melting pot. But crime and violence happen in plenty of homogenous countries too. There's also the glorification of gangster culture in America, which leads to impressionable young people doing things like theft and taking drugs to fit in and appear "cool". We don't have that sort of gangster worship here, where you see people wearing Scarface shirts and whatnot.

These are also small islands, where it's perceived to be harder to disappear. Look at China: their crime rates are much higher than Taiwan, Japan or Korea's, because it's easier for someone to disappear. Even though we're densely populated in some areas here, Taipei is the biggest little city I've ever been to. I'm constantly seeing or running into the same people, and if someone were to be caught for grabbing a phone on the subway, they'd be shamed on the news and would likely have to move to another city.
 
dampfnudel

dampfnudel

macrumors 601
Aug 14, 2010
4,544
2,589
Brooklyn, NY
I grew up in Brooklyn during the 1980s and my mom gave me "mugger's money" when I was about 14. Ten to twenty dollars, some of which was spent at an arcade.;) To prevent someone mugging me from getting angry if I didn't have anything worth taking. My mom wasn't the only mom in the city who did that. Luckily, I was never mugged, even as an adult. Thinking about it now, it seems ridiculous that my mom had to do this which she began doing after a couple of other moms told her about it.

It's better now, but that doesn't mean you should be oblivious to your environment. Back then, people were warned not to wear expensive jewelry or carry a lot of cash with you. The bright screen of an iPhone on a dark street is like a large LED sign, "I'm expensive, steal me". I never take out my iPhone on the subway or when I'm walking on a dark, desolate street at night. Maybe my behavior is a result of the memories I have of my "mugger money years".:D
 
X

Xials

macrumors member
Aug 14, 2007
34
23
Headline Change?

Come on, let's be honest here. Crime is up. It is NOT BECAUSE of iPhones and iPads, it's because of moral relativity, it's because there is an increase in PEOPLE who are willing to take things that are not theirs and they think they are entitled to it.

Bloomberg likes to blame things rather than people.
If it weren't for iPads and iPhones, we would have less crime...
If it weren't for soda's above 16 oz. people would not be fat...
If it weren't for guns, everyone would hug each other and never murder...

I happen to own all of the above... and am proud of it.
 
J

jmerz

macrumors newbie
Jun 15, 2010
5
0
Igotya

if Apple would get an app like Igotya that takes a picture of anyone who types in the wrong code or tries to turn it off with out the code it would help a lot. Instead they just have the weak Find My Phone app
 
MacDav

MacDav

macrumors 65816
Mar 24, 2004
1,031
0
Drunken Master said:
I can only go off the expert opinions, but most people her don't commit petty crimes. Now there is still lots of white collar crime and gangster activity (as in most places) but most people don't think to commit theft at any level. Lots of people, for example, park their bikes in places and don't chain them up. The odds of someone taking your bike are slim to none. Same for being pick pocketed or having an iPhone stolen if you leave it on a table for a minute.

I think it has to do with education. Those kinds of things are done by low-class people with a sense of entitlement, and who feel they are owed something by society. With that comes a sense that they have been wronged somehow (whether real or just perceived). Some people make the argument that America has so much crime and violence because of the sheer number of different races, nationalities and religions clashing together in the less-than-idyllic melting pot. But crime and violence happen in plenty of homogenous countries too. There's also the glorification of gangster culture in America, which leads to impressionable young people doing things like theft and taking drugs to fit in and appear "cool". We don't have that sort of gangster worship here, where you see people wearing Scarface shirts and whatnot.

These are also small islands, where it's perceived to be harder to disappear. Look at China: their crime rates are much higher than Taiwan, Japan or Korea's, because it's easier for someone to disappear. Even though we're densely populated in some areas here, Taipei is the biggest little city I've ever been to. I'm constantly seeing or running into the same people, and if someone were to be caught for grabbing a phone on the subway, they'd be shamed on the news and would likely have to move to another city.
Click to expand...

Hey, thanks for taking the time to express your thoughts on this. Yes, you are right ...I've heard most of those ideas before. I suppose they all contribute to this cultural difference. I tend to think all these factors come together to form a person's awareness of a "cultural reality". Most of those involved in this kind of bad behavior are younger and haven't developed a real notion of reality yet. The perception of being "wronged by society" comes into play here. It is a perception fed by certain political figures (So called spokesmen). I hold these types in the highest contempt since they promote false victimhood. (If I'm a victim then bad behavior is somehow justified). Anyway, thanks for your reply and best wishes.

----------
AidenShaw said:
Don't worry, I'll be here to help you muddle through any confusing situations. I only want to help. ;)
Click to expand...

I see...but I don't want to muddle through, I want to sail through. So you're not much help are you?
 
E

engbjm

macrumors newbie
Jul 20, 2012
19
1
TallManNY said:
These devices have unique identifying numbers. I still don't see why Apple, the Cell Companies, and the police can't coordinate to catch crooks stealing these devices. At least if the crooks don't ultimately fence them overseas. And seriously the guy doing a snatch and run job on your iPhone as you walk down the street texting, that guy doesn't have access to an overseas fence. Why can't Apple shut the device's access off from the Apple store? Yes, then folks can jailbreak. But that is another inconvenience and lowers the value of the stolen phone.
Click to expand...

Well said.

When I was mugged for my iPhone in LA I wondered why they even wanted it cause it would be useless once I reported it, right??!!

Um, nope. The guy at AT&T said they activate any phone brought in.

It is in Apple's best interest to get a new customer even if they are criminals.

When will Apple do something about this?

PEOPLE ARE GETTING MUGGED AND KILLED FOR iPHONES

Apple must make stolen devices USELESS so people will stop getting hurt.
It disgusts me.
 
Michael Scrip

Michael Scrip

macrumors 604
Mar 4, 2011
7,929
12,480
NC
dampfnudel said:
I grew up in Brooklyn during the 1980s and my mom gave me "mugger's money" when I was about 14. Ten to twenty dollars, some of which was spent at an arcade.;) To prevent someone mugging me from getting angry if I didn't have anything worth taking. My mom wasn't the only mom in the city who did that. Luckily, I was never mugged, even as an adult. Thinking about it now, it seems ridiculous that my mom had to do this which she began doing after a couple of other moms told her about it.

It's better now, but that doesn't mean you should be oblivious to your environment. Back then, people were warned not to wear expensive jewelry or carry a lot of cash with you. The bright screen of an iPhone on a dark street is like a large LED sign, "I'm expensive, steal me". I never take out my iPhone on the subway or when I'm walking on a dark, desolate street at night. Maybe my behavior is a result of the memories I have of my "mugger money years".:D
Click to expand...

Everyone should carry a "mugger's phone"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=LfhIIIgbadY&t=13s
 
palmerc

palmerc

macrumors 6502
Feb 26, 2008
350
225
Hand loss as a crime prevention methodology

Jaro65 said:
When I worked in Saudi Arabia, I noticed how store vendors didn't mind placing small items right by the door. You won't see that here in the US, as it would be easy to walk in, grab, and run. Of course, if you were to do that in Saudi Arabia, you lose your hand. As a result, theft is not something one is generally concerned with. Perhaps if we instituted meaningful penalties for theft, we would also not need to worry about pulling out our iPads and iPhones in the public?
Click to expand...

Citation Needed, where the Saudia Arabian crime rate is low because the penalty for theft is hand loss.

The idea that cutting off hands is in any way a net positive for society is just ridiculous. I suppose if we adopt the Saudia Arabian policy on alcohol and pornography we will again have even more crime reduction, right? While you're at it, how about a anecdote about taxes is Saudia Arabia leading to a equitable and fair society? Maybe while you're at it you could discuss how the regime in Saudia Arabia has led to more freedom?
 
P

Parky

macrumors regular
Sep 12, 2006
154
0
firewood said:
I would pay $$$ for an optional Apple service where I could show up in one of their stores, show ID and proof of purchase of my iPhone using that ID (they have ways of checking), and have them permanently brick my iPhone should it ever show up on any network again. (Turning red hot in the thief's hands while the battery melts would be even better, but various liability laws probably prevent that.)

The problem is: would anyone ever buy my used iPhone knowing I could brick it at any time? The price of used iPhones would plumet like crazy.
Click to expand...

And what happens when you decide to sell the iPhone?
What does the new owner do to register the device to him now.
What happens if you sell it and then do decide to be evil and get the phone bricked?
There are too many issues with 'ownership' with what you have suggested.
Apple could never do what you suggest as they have no way of knowing the true owner of the device (you could have sold it).
 
Drunken Master

Drunken Master

macrumors 65816
Jul 19, 2011
1,060
0
palmerc said:
Citation Needed, where the Saudia Arabian crime rate is low because the penalty for theft is hand loss.

The idea that cutting off hands is in any way a net positive for society is just ridiculous. I suppose if we adopt the Saudia Arabian policy on alcohol and pornography we will again have even more crime reduction, right? While you're at it, how about a anecdote about taxes is Saudia Arabia leading to a equitable and fair society? Maybe while you're at it you could discuss how the regime in Saudia Arabia has led to more freedom?
Click to expand...

Doesn't the U.S. still have the death penalty?

KTF said:
No Attenton For Droid Or Whatever you call it!
Click to expand...

 
Last edited:
gnasher729

gnasher729

Suspended
Nov 25, 2005
17,980
5,565
xdxdaustin said:
This is messed up in so many ways. Why would you say anything like that after 9/11 or any of the other mass tragedies? This solution, like arming teachers with guns, will never work. Why? Its fighting fire with fire, which everyone knows doesn't work. Rather than improving the world via positive means, you would be trying to change it with hate and fear.
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9/11 was not a tragedy. If the twin towers would have crashed down and killed thousands of people because some engineer made a mistake in some calculation, that would have been a tragedy. Intentional mass murder is not a tragedy.
 
J

jasonefmonk

macrumors 6502
May 5, 2011
385
431
gnasher729 said:
9/11 was not a tragedy. If the twin towers would have crashed down and killed thousands of people because some engineer made a mistake in some calculation, that would have been a tragedy. Intentional mass murder is not a tragedy.
Click to expand...

tragedy |ˈtrajidē| noun
1 an event causing great suffering, destruction, and distress, such as a serious accident, crime, or natural catastrophe
 
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