Snatching Smartphones

Smartphone theft has risen dramatically over the past few years. Last year, in DC alone, thefts of smartphones, iPods and tablets accounted for forty percent of the 500 reported robberies. According to this story by Clarence Williams and Cecilia Kang in The Washington Post, “police in the Washington area and elsewhere are expressing their frustration in plain terms, publicly asking regulators and wireless-network operators to allow stolen devices to be shut down remotely through unique identification numbers within them.”

Some products already have this feature but the wireless carriers industry group questions its effectiveness.

“This isn’t the solution, because when you look at other countries that have tried this, it doesn’t work,” said Amy Storey, spokeswoman for CTIA, the national wireless trade group.”

It appears that the best way to hold on to these devices is to be vigilant. In other words, it’s probably not a good idea to pass out in a Metro station with an iPhone in your hand.