Andre Yoskowitz
17 Dec 2009 12:26
According to USA Today, citing data from the FBI, gaming console thefts have risen a giant 285 percent since 2007, mainly due to the jump in popularity of consoles in general, especially handhelds such as the DS and the PSP.
FBI representative Anthony Weiner adds: "They seem to become bigger targets for theft. It's the omnipresent, miniature electronics crime paradox: Even as crime goes down, when you have more electronics, you have more theft."
In 2007, overall gaming system thefts was 11,074. That number jumped to 21,732 in 2008 and has jumped to 42,615 so far in 2009. On the other hand, overall property crime (including electronics thefts) has fallen from 10 million in 2006 to 9.8 million in 2009.
Notes Larry J. Siegel, criminologist at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell: "Criminals are rational. They steal things that have high value, are easily transportable and easily sold. The most expensive thing in my house is my refrigerator, but nobody is trying to steal my refrigerator."