On my morning trip downtown, the guy standing next to me had his cell phone ripped off
So which committee okayed the warning signs about public-transit thievery during the Olympics? The wording is good: “The world’s best pick-pockets are here. Stay alert.” Problem is that they’re discrete–a tasteful gray that seems designed to match for the walls of Canada Line trains. Then they’ve been placed at eye level for those sitting down–useful in that theoretical world in which all transit riders sit, their valuables safely stowed on their laps. But that’s not the situation here, where most travellers stand, crammed like tinned sardines. On my morning trip downtown, the guy standing next to me had his cell phone ripped off from his hip holster which was foolishly in plain view. When he shouted out what happened, the surrounding passengers launched into a litany of similar tales about people who’d had their wallets disappear from pockets and purses in the past few days. Obviously, people should know crooks lurk everywhere huge crowds convene and try to protect themselves. But with the excitement and brotherhood vibe flowing here right now it’s pretty easy to forget.