Where, how and why smartphones are stolen in San Francisco CA [telecom]

[Thad Floryan]

Interactive map from InfoWorld here:

http://blog.sfgate.com/crime/2013/05/16/cell-phone-theft-map/

Where are cell phones stolen in SF?
Ellen Huet May 16, 2013 at 6:30 am PDT

It's no secret that cell phone thefts -- especially robberies -- are
on the rise in San Francisco. The trend even has subtrends: it's
likely your smart phone will get stolen while you're riding Muni, and
phone thieves are starting to develop a taste for Android over Apple.

Now there's another factor to think about when weighing whether to
check that text in public: Where are you standing?

The folks at InfoWorld pulled together an interactive map of cell
phone and tablet thefts from November 2012 through April 2013, using
data from daily police reports of serious incidents. Each incident
can be clicked on for more information. Red icons indicate a robbery
with firearm or knife, blue icons are robbery with force and purple
incidents are phone thefts that don't fit either category.

Somewhat predictably, the thefts appear bunched around busy downtown
areas, including Market Street and the Financial District, plus a
small pocket in the central Mission. An accompanying article also
shows 7-10 p.m. as the time of day when thefts are most likely to
occur.

Another thing to note: Not all of the incidents on the map are
robberies -- some of the "other" categories include hot-prowl
burglaries where phones were taken.

No matter the location, the best way to avoid cell phone theft is to
stay vigilant about your surroundings, especially when sitting near an
exit on a bus or train, and to avoid taking your phone out in public,
police said.