Protecting
an iPod can be a dangerous task
By
Meghan V. Malloy
The Daily Iowan
IOWA CITY, Iowa (U-Wire) — On any given day, many Iowa City residents
can be seen rocking out to their iPod. The music gadget seems almost like a
necessity on the University of Iowa campus, but some people see the telltale
white headphone cords as an opportunity to steal.
The July 2 slaying of a 15-year-old boy in Brooklyn, N.Y., in order to get
his iPod has prompted college students across the nation to take extra precautions
regarding their pocket-sized stereo systems.
Casee Kulp, 21, said since she heard about the event, she has been more on
guard when walking around with her iPod.
“I’m starting to be more watchful of where I am,” the UI senior
said, while gingerly tugging on the white headphones cord. She bought her iPod
in April.
UI senior Kimberly Franz, 23, said she also was more on guard when out with
her iPod.
Franz, who bought her iPod in February, said it was sad someone would kill
over an iPod, and she wouldn’t take her chances on that happening again.
Sgt. Doug Hart, the public-information officer for the Iowa City police, said
Kulp has the right idea. Thefts of such trendy items as iPods are usually opportunistic
and spontaneous, he said, and the familiar adage of “safety in numbers” is
still an important rule to follow.
While he could understand why people would want to listen to music while running
or walking home from the library at night, Hart said, people need to be aware
of their surroundings and the people around them.
Taylor Raborn, 23, agreed with Hart that awareness was important, but he said
he didn’t feel in any immediate danger in Iowa City. He had already been
taking “typical” precautions, he said, including keeping his iPod
concealed and being smart about his environment when he goes out.
“Things like this happen over the trendy items,” he said. “But
it’s still very disturbing to hear that someone had to be murdered over
something so petty.” |
