Campus Security and Emergency Services would like to advise the Queen's campus community about an increase in phone thefts in downtown establishments. Over the weekend of September 19-22, Kingston Police received ten reports of cell phone thefts; many of these thefts were from a purse when the purse was on the victim's person.
Kingston Police published a media release about these thefts, and provided the following advice to the Kingston community:
"It is important for members of the community to be vigilant when attending busy local bars and restaurants and to keep valuables and phones close at hand or in closed purses or pockets so as to avoid these forms of pickpocketing from occurring. The thieves target individuals in these environments because there is often physical contact occurring throughout the busy establishments due to the sheer number of patrons in attendance. The thieves exploit this and are able to precipitate thefts that often at first go unnoticed."
CSES would like to remind the members of the Queen's community to be vigilant while in a busy establishment, whether it's downtown Kingston or at a campus pub. Thieves have been known to work in teams, with one person distracting you while the other is committing the theft. To avoid pickpocketing, be alert and keep your valuables in a closed pocket or purse.
Anyone with information related to these thefts is asked to call Kingston Police at 613-549-4660. If something of this nature occurs on Queen's property, please file a report with Kingston Police and also with Campus Security and Emergency Services at 613-533-6080 (non-emergency) or 613-533-6111 (emergency).