Protecting yourselves from pickpockets

Pinal County’s Sheriff, in response to requests from citizens throughout the county, will be providing informational crime prevention tips on a bi-monthly basis. This is the first crime prevention message from Sheriff Chris Vasquez:

The “art” of picking pockets is among one of the world’s oldest professions. Author Charles Dickens’ Artful Dodger is probably among the best known pickpockets. However, all are not juveniles – or males!

Pickpockets follow no regular schedule. They operate equally well during daylight hours as well as at night. And if you have been led to believe that picking pockets takes place only in crowds, forget it!

The skilled pickpocket is also not the seedy character you’d expect to find lurking in a dark doorway. He (or she) can appear as average as you and I in looks and mannerisms. Because they make it a point to ‘blend’ into the crowd, pickpockets usually remain undetected and can practice their activities with little hindrance.

While many pickpockets work alone, there are also teams of two or three, which sometimes involve a female accomplice. A team with quick fingers is next to impossible to apprehend. The first team member removes the valuables from the unsuspecting victim’s pockets. He then secretly passes them onto the next member, who quickly disappears. When a female member is also involved, she generally engages the victim in conversation to distract or delay his attention.

The best protection for foiling pickpockets is to remove the opportunity of becoming a victim…

For men:

The target areas are back trouser pockets as well as suit coat and sports jacket pockets, located inside and out. A pickpocket who values his/her freedom avoids front trouser pockets and especially buttoned or zippered pockets.

If it is necessary to carry your wallet in unbuttoned pants or a coat or jacket pocket, be sure it contains only what you can afford to lose. Keep large sums of money, credit cards, IDs, etc. in your front pocket or any buttoned or zippered pocket and your keys on a chain attached to your clothing (as well as a wallet with chain). And never ‘pat’ your pockets to see if your wallet is still there–this lets the criminal know the location of your valuables.

For women:

Do NOT carry your wallet in your purse. Conceal it in a coat or sweater pocket where it does not show a bulge. Utilize jacket pockets that button or zipper to store your valuables.

Use a purse that is difficult or time-consuming to open.

Never let your purse lie unattended on a store counter or in a grocery-shopping cart.