Pickpockets

A friend of mine was in Vegas last week. He and his wife were Downtown and a tall black woman bumped into him really hard in the street and almost knocked him down. She was drunk, or acting drunk, and said she was sorry and went on her way. My friend was alone and went back up to his hotel room to get his wife for dinner. When dinner was over, he realized his wallet was gone. He tracked down one of bicycle cops on the Fremont Experience and told his story. The cop totally didn't believe him. The cop said they hear stories like his all the time from guys who hire a hooker and get rolled. He said there are no pickpockets Downtown, they're all on the Strip, the cops do too good a job Downtown. He wouldn't even take my friends statement, he told him to go to the police station in the morning, which he did. They said nothing to him there, didn't even ask any questions, they didn't believe him either. He filed the report and left. My friend is still really pissed, I don't blame him.

In touristy areas the cops know how to keep the crime statistics down.
It happens.
Its not going to get solved. Not ever. So why generate negative statistics.

Reminds me of the brush off I got when my iPad was stolen. The LVPD seem to not care much about non-violent crime.

Quote: Wizard

Reminds me of the brush off I got when my iPad was stolen. The LVPD seem to not care much about non-violent crime.

I bet if it was a casino complaining about something, they'd get right on it.

That seems like a pretty crappy way to treat a citizen.

What a nicer cop would have said: "Thanks for the info, we'll keep an eye out for her. Unfortunately, the chances of us recovering your wallet are very slim. It would be best to make your statement at the police station. They can handle the paperwork better, and I need to keep an eye out for the pickpockets."

Even if he did think the victim is full of crap, the cop can keep his thoughts about hookers to himself.

Quote: EvenBob

A friend of mine was in Vegas last week. He and his wife were Downtown and a tall black woman bumped into him really hard in the street and almost knocked him down. She was drunk, or acting drunk, and said she was sorry and went on her way. My friend was alone and went back up to his hotel room to get his wife for dinner. When dinner was over, he realized his wallet was gone. He tracked down one of bicycle cops on the Fremont Experience and told his story. The cop totally didn't believe him. The cop said they hear stories like his all the time from guys who hire a hooker and get rolled. He said there are no pickpockets Downtown, they're all on the Strip, the cops do too good a job Downtown. He wouldn't even take my friends statement, he told him to go to the police station in the morning, which he did. They said nothing to him there, didn't even ask any questions, they didn't believe him either. He filed the report and left. My friend is still really pissed, I don't blame him.

I've heard that same story except that the woman was really a guy in drag and has left many victims in his/her wake. Anyone representing the city should be catering to us-their bread and butter. Instead they see us all as chumps who can easily be replaced. Sorry to hear about your friend.

I'm starting a thread about personal safety. Please weigh in with your thoughts.

By the way, most dips do not take the money out of the wallet. They hand off the wallet to someone carrying a newspaper and walking in the opposite direction. The wallet is in a trash container or something. They used to put them in mailboxes but there are none of those around anymore. Most dips these days are from Eastern Europe so look for a team of lookouts, a few stalls, a bumper, a few stay-behind screamers.

Quote: benbakdoff

I've heard that same story except that the woman was really a guy in drag .

My friend is convinced this is the case. He felt like he was hit by a 6ft linebacker, and he thinks his wallet was lifted by an accomplice. It was all he could do to keep from hitting the ground, and somebody 'helped' him. It was probably the pickpocket.

Quote: FleaStiff

By the way, most dips do not take the money out of the wallet. They hand off the wallet to someone carrying a newspaper and walking in the opposite direction. The wallet is in a trash container or something.

Maybe. But the value of credit cards and identity theft these days outweighs whats usually in the wallet.

This can be avoided by keeping your wallet in your front pants pocket, or by wrapping the wallet with a thick rubberband if it's in your back pocket.

Quote: zippyboy

This can be avoided by keeping your wallet in your front pants pocket, or by wrapping the wallet with a thick rubberband if it's in your back pocket.

Best to ignore the back pocket completely. Years ago I broke myself of doing that when I learned how easy the back pocket is to pick. Pros call it "the sucker's hole." Takes some getting used to having it in the front, but feels much more secure now.

My wife fInally found me a small leather sleeve to hold my DL and a card or 2...attached to that is a money clip to secure the bills I carry.

It's also less bulky and more secure.

This is a big improvement over the "wallet" which I think has become a dated accessory for most men(IMHO).

Quote: benbakdoff

Anyone representing the city should be catering to us-their bread and butter. Instead they see us all as chumps who can easily be replaced.

Any jurisdiction, or for that matter casino, that continually treats its visitors like chumps will soon be feeling the effects of that stupidity as people with half a mind gravitate to more friendly venues. That is what happens in Atlantic City, downtown Las Vegas and similar places.

Quote: ten2win

My wife fInally found me a small leather sleeve to hold my DL and a card or 2...attached to that is a money clip to secure the bills I carry.

It's also less bulky and more secure.

This is a big improvement over the "wallet" which I think has become a dated accessory for most men(IMHO).

I bought one just like that prior to my last visit to LV. It made me more conscious of it, because I was missing the familiar weight & bulk where I was used to it. I don't use it all the time, just on vacations.

.....

Ernest Hemingway was pickpocketed in Paris in the 50's. He had a Chinese tailor make him a tweed jacket that had a secret inside breast pocket for his wallet, and he wore it when he traveled for the rest of his life.

Quote: Wizard

Reminds me of the brush off I got when my iPad was stolen. The LVPD seem to not care much about non-violent crime.

And when it comes to violent crime, they're normally the ones committing the crime! Metro is the most corrupt police force in the country.

Quote: gofaster87

Ive been carrying my important cards and cash in my front pocket for years.

I'm like you. I always keep my wallet in my front pocket. I never was able to get used to having it behind me.

I haven't had a wallet for years. I carry my necessities in a front pocket or an inside jacket pocket. Usually, that's a driver's license, one credit card or bank card, and the cash that I need. Everything else resides in the hotel safe. Yes, I've dropped a visa card, or a bank card, over the years. But compare that to the loss of an entire wallet and the pain it takes to replace everything that you have, and I like the benefits.

Oddly I thought Metro would have found someone to shoot.

Quote: Wavy70

Oddly I thought Metro would have found someone to shoot.

Lucky they didn't since they probably would have shot the guy trying to make the complaint!

Quote: JimMorrison

Lucky they didn't since they probably would have shot the guy trying to make the complaint!

As well they should.

Here's an article about Pickpocket pickpockets on Fremont st.

Pickpocket

Its funny, because a Vegas cop wrote the article WARNING people about all the pickpockets at the Fremont Experience 18 months ago.. And the bike cop told my friend there were no pickpockets at the FE, the cops did such a good job of keeping them out. So which is it? The bike cop was just BS'ing my friend to get out of doing anything, obviously. Great police force you got there, Vegas.

This is pretty entertaining.

Youtube

this is a link to pick pocket proof pants:

https://www.clothingarts.com/products/pickpocket_proof_adventure_travel_pants?variant=1298674368

I have a pair of shorts and 1 or 2 pairs of pants that have a front pocket with a zipper. I feel more secure wearing those in Vegas.

I was mugged in both Los Angeles & San Francisco (never in Las Vegas), and the police response was night & day.

Los Angeles: About 12 police cars pursued 3 muggers, car chase, foot chase, court case, met families of muggers
San Francisco: did nothing.

Sigh...

Quote: Wizard

Reminds me of the brush off I got when my iPad was stolen. The LVPD seem to not care much about non-violent crime.

Violent crime and unicycle riding.

I thought unicycle riding was a violent crime, no?

Quote: EvenBob

Great police force you got there, Vegas.

If that is the way you or your friends or anyone else feels... just don't come to Vegas. Plenty of other places to go in this world and Vegas isn't really supposed to be Disneyland anyways. Tourists getting mugged all day and night in the Casino by the Casino betting the mortgage on Red and Black... why should the street be any different? This is the Wild Wild West... be prepared!

Police can't handle the workload they have now and you want them to track down every stolen wallet or ipad lol ... ridiculous!

Nobody to blame but ourselves anyways allowing the Casinos to put dancing bars all over the street with free music everywhere and entertainers begging for money. You draw crowds like that Zoo down on Fremont Street and your not expecting a bunch of pickpockets or worse? You guys live in a different world compared to me. I understand that Chicago and NY NY are a bit worse. I hear in Chicago they shoot you before they steal your wallet?

Quote: SanchoPanza

Any jurisdiction, or for that matter casino, that continually treats its visitors like chumps will soon be feeling the effects of that stupidity as people with half a mind gravitate to more friendly venues. That is what happens in Atlantic City, downtown Las Vegas and similar places.

That would be great... I'd show up to vote to keep those chumps out of this city. If you ever seen the movie "The Cooler"... Alec Baldwin has a great quote and here it is.... You can watch it or read it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHIH8zkVfg4

Ron Livingston says:
Just take a look at the Strip,you'll see what l'm talking about?

Alec Baldwin responds:
What? You mean that Disneyland m--kfest out there? Huh?
Come on, you know what that is? Huh? That's a F'ing VIOLATION is what that is. Something that used to be beautiful, used to have class, like a gorgeous high-priced hooker with an exclusive clientele. Then along came that Steve Wynn c---sucker and knocks her up and put her in a f'ing family way. Now she's nothing but a cheap, fat whore hiding behind too much f'ing make-up. I look at her and see all her f'ing stretch marks. It makes me want to cry because I remember the way she used to be. Am l right?

Ron Livingston playing the Bean Counter...
There's no arguing the bottom line. Those places are raking it in... and the Shangri-La as she is now can't compete with that.

Alec Baldwin:
You think l'm trying to compete with that? You think that's what we're about, trying to bring in the stroller crowd, fresh off some ''E-ticket'' ride, trying to break the house on red and black? Fremont has never been about that bulls**t. This is where old time and real money come to play.


Maybe we can get back to some Old Vegas and allow these people to go back to Disneyland or World. Personally I am tired of the stroller crowd!
Where are you gonna be when they decide to change it back...? (1:20 in this scene)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgfSG3wm_b4

Pain... Pain... Pain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKATih1nvVo

Hell, in NY, they'll shoot you after they take the wallet. Then shoot you again. Then urinate on you and then rape you.
If you can't handle a pickpocket, the big city might just be too much for you.

On a related note:

Whole lotta crime on the Strip: big increase in prostitution, and with it trick rolls and resultant assault / robbery.

see: article about crime .

Pa Kettle, you need a robotic sex doll, not a ho.