Study links iPod use to surge in robberies

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The popularity of iPods and other brands of MP3 players might be the cause for an increase in violent crime, according to a report issued by the Urban Institute. \nThe report’s authors found that a time period when Apple sold nearly 90 million iPods correlated with the first national crime rate spike in 12 years. They refer to the spike as an iCrime wave. \n“Both of us thought about this because when crime goes up, it rarely goes up more than one year. If it continues to go up, it signals a new trend,” the study’s co-author Aaron Chalfin said. “We thought that it might make sense that something people are carrying on them (something) that is attractive to robbers might be it.” \nThe report states that from 1993 to 2004, the violent crime rate fell every year – a total decline of 39 percent. \nSince then, the crime rate began to rise as more Americans began “visibly wearing, and being distracted by, expensive electronic gear,” according to the study. The report suggests that “iPods are everywhere and ... one size fits all.” \n“If you walk around with a $100 bill sticking out of your pocket, you increase the likelihood of being targeted by a robber,” Chalfin said. \nCollege students are the largest age demographic of iPod users, Chalfin said. \nAccording to the report, “the device is a lightning rod for criminals.” \nOne reason iPod owners are more susceptible to being robbed is because of a lack of anti-theft protection and the lessened awareness experienced while listening to music, according to the report. \nApple filed a patent in 2005 showing that the company is researching ways to block thieves from stealing iPods. \nAccording to the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Web site, it helps to disable the charger for devices powered by a re-chargeable power supply. Disabling the charger should then deter theft. \nPennsylvania State University senior William Fertsch, he keeps alert while listening to his iPod around campus. \n“[The report] makes sense because, like today, I came to class with my calculator, my iPod, my laptop, my camera and all the cords,” he said. “We carry around a lot of electronics.”