As we prepare for the upcoming academic year, something to keep in mind:
Dear Public Safety Friends,
According to the NYPD, Pick Pocket incidents increase during the months of August, September and October. Obviously during the start of the school year. In the majority of the reported incidents, the victim had their wallet removed from their backpack front compartment, a common location where students put their wallets. Carry your bag in front of you. Gentlemen, carry your wallet in your front pocket.
Common locations where thieves target victims:
By the subway turnstiles– Thief one walks in front of you swiping their metro card but they use a card that denies them access while the 2nd thief is behind you, bumps into you removing your property (cell phone, wallet, etc)
In a crowded train– removing your wallet from your backpack front compartment.
Going up or down the stairs of the subway– removing your property from your backpack front compartment.
Pick Pockets thieves look like you and I, they usually work in a team of two or three.
Below is a link to view an excellent news project / short video done by one of our Journalism students on Pick Pocketing in the subways. Please share with students, faculty, staff, family, friends and members of the community:
Thank you for your continued help.
Ricardo Morales
Assistant Director
Crime Prevention Programs
Columbia University Public Safety
www.columbia.edu/cu/publicsafety
Pride-Professionalism-Service