People who live in the great state of New York know that iPhone and iPad theft is a growing epidemic. In fact, things have gotten so bad that New York City commissioner Ray Kelly blamed Apple for the city’s rise in crime. Today, however, both sides are coming together to not only slow down theft, but to get the stolen iProducts back to their rightful owners.
After the release of the iPhone 5, the NYPD took the first measures implementing some newer much aggressive techniques, including registering serial numbers and contact details of owners. The NYPD also put in place undercover officers to patrol the subways where thefts of Apple gadgets often occur.
Apple’s role in helping is to tell the NYPD of the device’s current location, regardless if it was reregistered with a different wireless provider. Ultimately, the NYPD’s goal is to catch the criminals who are taking and selling the devices.
“We’re looking for ways to find individuals who have stolen Apple products and return the products to their original owners,” said NYPD spokesman Paul Browne. “It is being done to learn the pattern who is stealing.”
Because the iPhone and iPad is so wildly popular, folks can expect changes like this to become commonplace for big cities across the country. Like I’ve said before: iPhone’s are high commodities, as the popular device usually keeps most of its value and sell for a reasonable price. And with gadget thefts elevating the crime rate, state officials have no choice but to be involved.
[via New York Post]