Dumbest Newspaper Angle of the Day

People steal stuff= Dog Bites Man. No Story.

People Steal iPods = Front Page Story, Baby!

IPod Devotees Rocked by thefts...

Victims of Growing Crime In Area Say Loss of Playlist Makes Them Feel Violated

By Del Quentin Wilber

Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, April 16, 2005; Page A01

The burglar visited every room of Sara Scalenghe's Northwest Washington apartment, stealing an expensive digital camera and a gold necklace passed down from her grandmother. But Scalenghe did not begin seething until she confirmed her biggest fear: Her new iPod had been swiped, too.

The digital music player held 50 favorite songs, ranging from Mozart to Italian rap. The device also contained thoughts on a looming dissertation and recorded conversations with friends. For Scalenghe, her privacy, as well as her home, was invaded.

"I know it sounds silly, but it changed everything. I was really upset," said the 34-year-old graduate student. "I can't explain it. But it hurt."

[...]

[Police Detective David] Swinson, a former punk rock promoter who owns an iPod, said he has come to empathize with the victims. Of his own device, he said, "I don't know how I survived without one. I would be destroyed if someone took it."


UPDATE: As if on cue, DCIST (our local bloggers who don't want to have a real job but end up with two web page) has picked up this scare story and noted someone was allegedly stabbed for his "MP3 player" - call out the dogs!

DCIST should read the DC police blotter, people get stabbed, shot and whacked on the heads every night by muggers and thieves and electronic devices have been fair game since portable phones came into existence ...and a local blogger is suggesting men of DC band together to form vigilante teams to seek out Mp3 player thieves - regular muggers are okay, I guess:

Although the Metropolitan Police have canvassed the neighborhood, Rock Creek Rambler is suggesting that the Cleveland Park Men's Club "round up a posse and go vigilante-style on the perp's ass."