Apple Picking in Downtown Hartford: Not Just a Fall Activity

by Katie Roth

DTHartford Staff

Imagine that you are standing outside of your favorite restaurant in downtown Hartford, waiting to meet up with your friend for after-work drinks. There is the usual bustle of city streets, the occasional car horn, and the dim lighting of the building’s interior. You’re bored, so what do you do? Take out your phone and preoccupy yourself, of course. Checking Twitter, Facebook, or sending a quick text seems like quite a harmless public activity. In reality, this is how most crimes of “apple picking” start, and a small moment of inattentiveness can put you in a dangerous situation.

            The term “apple picking” doesn’t just mean a fun fall family pastime anymore, especially in downtown Hartford. The term refers to the theft of Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads, and iPods, generally in public areas. In downtown Hartford, thieves do not discriminate, as victims have been adults, teens, and students.  These thefts are not exclusively of Apple products, and may include Androids or other smartphone brands. There has been a significant increase in these types of crimes in Hartford in the last six months. Hartford Police are starting to crack down to try and stop these robbers.

            Lieutenant Brian Foley, commander of the major crimes division for Hartford Police Department, said that there are no statistics out yet for these crimes in the Hartford area, but that there is a campaign being launched to warn residents of the potential risks of having their electronics out.  Foley said, “We advise people to be aware of their surroundings and to pay attention to what you are doing as opposed to just your device. To a thief you are holding cash, not a phone.” Cash is exactly what thieves are getting for these electronics, while a second-hand iPhone can yield large profits up to $400 when resold through online outlets.

            Foley said, “Majorly violent thefts are not the norm, but that the term “apple picking” generally refers to much more minor assaults, or a snatch-and-grab type of crime.”  He warns Hartford residents not to walk around with headphones in, because that is an immediate indicator that you have a device. It is also recommended that people do not text while walking, since this does not allow you to pay attention to your surroundings. Numerous apple picking offenses start with thieves walking down the street and seeing a pedestrian with a phone that they could potentially steal.

Foley said apple picking has become increasingly common around restaurants, bus stops, libraries, and surprisingly: schools.

            Amanda Winkler, a student teacher who has worked at Betances, a public school in downtown Hartford, has recently seen a lot more kids with their cell phones or iPods out and visible. Winkler said, “They take them (phones) out at lunch to check Facebook or show their friends something. A lot of kids have their headphones in walking to and from school.” Winkler said that some local Hartford teachers do not bring their phones or electronic devices to school because they are fearful that they will be stolen. “Students can steal from other kids, or even from teachers… for some teachers it’s easier just to leave it home.”

            To combat these thefts, the Hartford Police Department has been putting up fliers to help educate Hartford residents and students of the risks of having electronic devices out in the open. Fliers have been given to schools as well as put up in public high-traffic areas. Several arrests were made at the end of March, but Foley said the best preventative measure is to educate the public.

While downtown, staying in well lit, public and populated locations is essential. Alex Hall, a student at the University of Hartford who has interned for The Hartford Insurance Group located downtown, said that she was always very cautious when walking from her car to work. “Sometimes I would have to cross large deserted parking lots downtown… I never walk with my phone in visible sight or have it in my pocket, especially when I am alone.”

            Hartford police recommend downtown Hartford residents to register the GPS device that is available on most smartphones, and to create a passcode lock. However, being aware of surroundings before making a call or text could prevent many of these apple picking crimes. Hall explained, “You have to keep your phone on you for emergency purposes, but you have to pay attention because you never know what could happen.” To assure that you are not a victim, avoid showing off or attracting the attention of your friends to your electronic devices. By showing off, you are also attracting attention from thieves.