By Stephen Witt
It used to be that giving your child a cell phone to take to school provided comfort and relief, knowing that with a quick dial contact could be made. Not anymore. Now the cell phone has become what sneakers were in the ‘80s and ‘90s – an item to be stolen. “Cell phone theft is the biggest problem I have now,” said Inspector Richard Boyce at the recent 67th Precinct Community Council meeting. “It’s usually juvenile on juvenile crime. We recently arrested a kid at Meyer Levin Junior High School who had four stolen cell phones.” Boyce said that while a cell phone may not seem like a lot to steal in this day and age, it is the type of item that may breed jealously in juveniles that do not have them. This type of theft is one of the major reasons why robbery is up slightly for the year thus far, Boyce said. Crime prevention officer Malissie Reynolds said that while parents may think it is better that kids take cell phones to school for quicker access to communication, it actually makes their children easier targets for juvenile theft. This goes for iPods and Game Boys as well, said Reynolds. “We want them to go to school, be in school and get home safely,” said Reynolds. “For kids who don’t have these things, it’s a gold mine.” Reynolds said she believed in the rule her own mother laid down, which is if you did not buy one of these items for your child, they shouldn’t have one in their possession in the house. It’s important to know your child’s friends and their family as well, she said. Reynolds said another way to prevent juvenile on juvenile crime was to make sure that kids are dispersed quickly after school and get home or to where they are going as quickly as possible. The 67th Precinct has also extended their engraving of a identification number on such items as bicycles to include cell phones, iPods and Game Boys so when they are recovered after being stolen or lost they are easily returned to their proper owners. Reynolds also reminded people at the meeting that with the warm weather, residents need to make sure they lock their windows when going out. An open window is the equivalent of an open door, and a fire escape leading to an open window is an entrance into your home, she said. Reynolds added that light timers are also an important detriment to burglaries, and that knowing your neighbor, even if it’s only saying, ‘Good morning,’ or ‘Good evening,’ could be the difference in them calling 911 if they see something happening in your home. Finally, Reynolds reminded those in attendance that identity theft remains on the rise and that residents need to makes sure they discard all mail that may have their identification numbers on it in a way where it is totally destroyed. Many people already know all this, but repetition reinforces retention, she said. People interested in getting an identification number etched on their property can call the precinct at 287-3235 or 287-3236.
