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Smartphones Driving Violent Crime Across US
alphadogg writes "Incidents of cellphone theft have been rising for several years and are fast becoming an epidemic. IDG News Service collected data on serious crimes in San Francisco from November to April and recorded 579 thefts of cellphones or tablets, accounting for 41 percent of all serious crime. In just over half the incidents, victims were punched, kicked or otherwise physically intimidated for their phones, and in a quarter of robberies, users were threatened with guns or knives. This isn't just happening in tech-loving San Francisco, either. The picture is similar across the United States. A big reason for such thefts, until recently, is that there had been little to stop someone using a stolen cellphone. Reacting to pressure from law enforcement and regulators, the U.S.'s largest cellphone carriers agreed early last year to establish a database of stolen cellphones."
Yes, then they can chome plate them so they can steel chrome google smartphones.
English is stupid. We need to update the language so all meanings and words are symbolic and unique and new configurations are easy to understand and do not replicate previous words without a great deal of memorization.
Anyway, stealing smart phones are not going to give you upwards mobility even in the criminal career path. I bet they are most likely stuck doing that or thats not the only thing they steal. Anyway this just sounds like the new cool thing on the block to do for those permanently indentured to a life of crime. Steal just enough to pay for your low class lifestyle until you get caught.
I would find it amusing if there was a true story about the dumb kid who stole smart phones so hey could later invest in a business or a bus pass out of the slum.
I mean if we just outlaw cell phones, people will stop getting robbed for their cell phones! violent crime will drop!! Genius!!!
When they outlaw cell phones, only outlaws will have cell phones.