Study says that iPod could be responsible for robbery rate increase
- March 6th, 2008
- 5 Comments
Steal this player
It’s real simple—if you don’t wanna get robbed, don’t walk around bad neighborhoods with the standard iPod earbuds on. You’re just asking for trouble. I don’t see what’s so hard to understand about that.
A recently released study from a DC think tank kinda suggests that iPods may be responsible for an uptick in robberies in 2005 and 2006. The same study readily admits that there’s not enough statistical evidence to say with any real authority that iPods and other portable devices are in any way responsible for the increase. So basically, you have a study that says, in so many words, “maybe.”
Usually, property crime and robbery rates are directly related, but during the years in question only robbery rates increased. Hence, the half-idea that iPods and the like could be responsible.
I used to walk around New York like a dumb college student with my iPod all the time. I might as well have had a giant “MARK” sign on my back. Nothing ever happened and I’ve since ditched the iPod. What a post that would have made, though—Nicholas was robbed today.
Original Study (PDF) [Urban Institute via Ars Technica]
Joe (Who am I?)
8 months ago
How could the iPod be responsible for an increase in the robbery rate??
Id say its the shitty people in the world
Charles (Who am I?)
8 months ago
Perhaps people would see the iPod and think to themselves, “Hmmm, he obviously has something worth money in his pocket, and on top of that, he might have even more money.”
Yes, people are responsible for crimes, but iPods could encourage them to commit more.
Amy N.
8 months ago
Well thats common sense. If u have earbuds on ur gunna get robbed in a bad neighbour hood o.o
Reply
Jarett (Who am I?)
8 months ago
The primary reason to not walk around with those white earbuds on is that they sound like crap, but this one’s a close second.
Ida G (Who am I?)
8 months ago
You cant put the blame on iPods by themselves. If this had been said during the time of CD players then the robbery ratings would’ve been blamed onCD players, because those are valuable too. In fact, you see someone walking around with a cell phone or a back pack or a purse, then you know something in there is worth value, or it is valuable. The blame isnt on electornics, its on the people who arent smart enough to either not wear the headphone or hold onto their bag tight enough, or the blame goes to the people who naivly think that just because of ___ (fill in the blanks) that i wouldnt get robber.
Blame people, not technology.