Wifi and Laptops Adds Up To Theft

Ant writes to mention an SFGate article about the increase in laptop theft in the world of ubiquitous wifi. From the article: "San Francisco police statistics show a disturbing trend. Just 18 laptop computer robberies were logged in 2004, but the figure jumped to 48 last year. There were 18 as of the end of March, a pace that could surpass 70 crimes this year. 'It's a changing culture, and crime is following it'"

Comments

What about iPod Thefts?

[xoip]

I wonder how many were stolen in before everyone had them?
As laptops get cheaper, there are more people with them...ergo greater likelyhood for theft.

Re:Really? That's it?

[Darth_brooks]

Robbery, not theft. Theft is "fuck, my laptop is gone." Robbery is "Fuck you, gimme your laptop." Subtle difference.

This is a case of "correlation does not equal causation." Wifi hotspots make it easier to work outside, away from the (as far as being robbed by a passerby / homeless guy / crackhead is concerned) safe confines of your office. Greater opportunity for crime tends to equal more crime. Of course, this is San Francisco we're talking about. 70 laptops getting jacked is probably the social equivilent of the Manson family & Son of Sam in their minds.

The general vibe I get off of that city is that if a man gets shot to death on the SF city hall steps, the papers will read "Violent murder takes place in Oakland", and if the Pope visits Oakland, the same papers will read "Pope Visits San Francisco suburb."

(it's an Ypsi - Ann Arbor relationship)