cell phone theft in Harlem, NYC -- advice requested

[aqualung]

I am a woman. I recently moved to NYC. Now that it's fall, I often return home from the office after dark.

Virgin mobile offers the following phones.
--Samsung Victory (has a big screen, is about 5.5" long)
--Samsung Galaxy S III (has a big screen, is about 5.5" long)
--LG Optimus F3 4G LTE (It is VM's only 4G android phone with a small-ish screen.)
I will buy one of these soon, maybe.

problem:
Lately, someone in Harlem has been lurking at night, running up to women with late-model Samsung phones (big screens), punching them DEAD IN THE FACE, and running off with the phone. It happened on my street in front of my building 2 months ago.

QUESTIONS:
--If you were a slender, small-framed woman walking alone after dark in Harlem, would you feel comfortable talking on a late-model, big-screen Samsung?
If you were a slender, small-framed woman riding the NYC subway in Harlem at any time of day or night, would you feel comfortable browsing the internet on a late-model, big-screen Samsung? I don't wanna get robbed on a 6 train station platform 3 levels underground...

I realize the Samsung Galaxy S III was new in August 2012. It is not a big deal anymore. But the Harlem thief can't distinguish S3 from S4 from a distance. I think he sees the big screen, and he makes his move.

I have only seen one person using a big-face Samsung on the subway, but I have only been here for a few months. Serious replies, guys.

 

[newarkhiphop]

Don't use your cell phone in public for extended periods of time any place you don't feel safe, unless making phone calls. Other than that you asking for trouble

If you do get asked to give your phone up, do it immediately don't even think about resisting.

Kid in Newark got his head blown off few months ago not wanting to give up his iPhone

 

[stepbackj34spud]

??

 

[Dooby]

I am a woman. I recently moved to NYC. Now that it's fall, I often return home from the office after dark.

Virgin mobile offers the following phones.
--Samsung Victory (has a big screen, is about 5.5" long)
--Samsung Galaxy S III (has a big screen, is about 5.5" long)
--LG Optimus F3 4G LTE (It is VM's only 4G android phone with a small-ish screen.)
I will buy one of these soon, maybe.

problem:
Lately, someone in Harlem has been lurking at night, running up to women with late-model Samsung phones (big screens), punching them DEAD IN THE FACE, and running off with the phone. It happened on my street in front of my building 2 months ago.

QUESTIONS:
--If you were a slender, small-framed woman walking alone after dark in Harlem, would you feel comfortable talking on a late-model, big-screen Samsung?
If you were a slender, small-framed woman riding the NYC subway in Harlem at any time of day or night, would you feel comfortable browsing the internet on a late-model, big-screen Samsung? I don't wanna get robbed on a 6 train station platform 3 levels underground...

I realize the Samsung Galaxy S III was new in August 2012. It is not a big deal anymore. But the Harlem thief can't distinguish S3 from S4 from a distance. I think he sees the big screen, and he makes his move.

I have only seen one person using a big-face Samsung on the subway, but I have only been here for a few months. Serious replies, guys.

You better keep your slender, small-framed ass off the phone when walking home.

 

[Silkk]

Get a Gun

 

[theworldismine13]

i dont know if this is troll thread, but in cali its just the opposite, at night girls walk around talking on their cell phones in case something happens, the cellphone is the protection in other words

 

[aqualung]

... in cali its just the opposite, at night girls walk around talking on their cell phones in case something happens, the cellphone is the protection in other words

I DO THAT TOO. It seems really counter-intuitive to shove your phone deep into your bag and walk fast through dark, ominous streets. Since moving here to Harlem, I had to call 911 on an aggressive person while on the street once. It was around 1am. It was on the street where I live, but I think my block is relatively ok wrt safety.

 

[Lana Kane]

You should get an old phone fashion it into a can of pepper spray and fukk them up that way.

 

[the cac mamba]

i cant tell if this is an advice thread or advertising for fukkin phones

 

[aqualung]

I'm not trolling. I have posted on this forum for years, and on SOHH before that.

Y'all are not telling me what the fukk I want to hear. -_-

 

[b@squ1@t]

I'm not trolling. I have posted on this forum for years, and on SOHH before that.

Y'all are not telling me what the fukk I want to hear. -_-

ive been hired by an anonymous third party from LA to pinpoint your coordinates & bring you to justice

your days are numbered

 

[Ghost Utmost]

Perhaps occupy yourself with a magazine during your commute. I know it sounds weird but once upon a time people just sat there or when walking just walked. It's not necessary to show what kind of phone you carry.

 

[Boogie]

ive been hired by an anonymous third party from LA to pinpoint your coordinates & bring you to justice

your days are numbered

Wtf

 

[Bay Area]

I cant imagine not being able to walk around with my cell phone out (im a male). When I visited NY last summer I was told to keep my cell phone in my pocket, im bout that life though no one tried to jack me .

 

[aqualung]

Perhaps occupy yourself with a magazine during your commute. I know it sounds weird but once upon a time people just sat there or when walking just walked. It's not necessary to show what kind of phone you carry.

I used to read books on pub trans too. Now I have a serious, grown-up job that I take waaaaaay too seriously which requires me to read complex documents VERY CAREFULLY. All day. Often on amphetamines.

So I **must** read online current events, celeb gossip, foolishness, and fukkery during my commute. This is not negotiable.

I can read my phone while it is inside my bag IF I GET A SEAT on the subway. But that's not guaranteed. Often, I just don't wanna touch down. So I stand up and read my phone and pretend that I'm not standing way too close to other riders who are jammed into each other's personal space.

Ugh. I hate NYC, but it's easy money. ( ._.) I wish I was street smart.