NY Pick Pocket Target?
 

Please forgive me if this is a dumb or uninformed concern...will carrying a mini packpack/purse make me a target? I've read other posts about keeping your purse close to your body, men keeping wallet in front pocket, etc. Carrying my purse this way is easy. I wanted to ask the experts. Thanks for your help. I always appreciate it.

Relax, I've worked here for 25 years, lived here for 18, carried backpacks, purses, cameras, etc. never been pick pocketed. Just be sensible and aware and you'll be fine. Most of NYC is very safe.

I don't carry a purse in NYC because it doesn't have enough room. Instead, I carry a backpack (Prada). I can fit a change of shoes, ID, credit cards, cash, lipstick, sweater or scarf, umbrella, bandaids, camera, baby powder, makeup, cell phone, purchases, etc.

If you are doing any shopping, dragging a handbag around is just extra baggage. You may not be in an area where it is convenient to go back to your hotel and drop things off.

Also, if I want to eat dinner and not go back to my hotel, the shoes and scarf will dress up my outfit I have on and it only takes me a couple of seconds for a quick change.

Pickpocketed? Not once in over 100 trips to NYC.

Just use common sense.

I disagree with the other posters, carring your wallet in a backpack is a VERY bad idea. There are pickpockets and they target tourists.

Having had my wallet stollen three times over the years here, you need to be aware of where your wallet is at all times and wearing it on your back is a surefire way to loose it. There are too many crowds and it's too easy to be distracted and poof the wallet is gone.

ALWAYS carry your purse/wallet close to your body don't give the bad guys easy access to your wallet.

Also wanted to add be extra careful at outdoor cafes. Happened to me a couple of years ago, I was sitting having dinner with a friend at an outdoor cafe, and my purse was right at my feet, touching so if something happened I would know it. A couple came and sat at the table behind us and shortly after I saw my purse slowly moving away from me. I bent down and picked it up and put it in my lap. Of course the woman trying to take it "appologized" and "didn't realize and how sorry",,,,ya, sure....they ate some bread drank some water and left the restaurant, guess they didn't have any money to pay for dinner without my wallet.

So just be aware as a tourist you can be targetet in any city, and be careful and you will have a great time.

Thanks for your advice! I didn't even think about the pick pocket issue until I read some other threads. Too much research, I guess. lol. I agree. Common sense is always the key no matter where you are. GoTravel- I think I need a backpack like yours. It sounds like Mary Poppins bag...it is bottomless and everything fits.

I noticed that there is even a taped((~)) recording that plays on NYC buses about pick pocketing, I'll try to remember the [-Xadvice next time instead of tuning it out.:S-

Backpack - bad idea. A small purse that you can keep close to your side is much safer if you have to carry something.

I would err on the side of caution. I bring visitors in the city and I always warn them. Twice women with be have been robbed. One had her purse slung over her shoulder (despite my warning to keep it on front of her) and they cut the bottom with a razor. The other had her purse snatched at a counter in a fast food joint. Looking like a tourist in a crowded area will make you a target. How you carry your stuff will make you a tough target or an easy target.

For what it is worth, I don't ever carry a wallet. Drivers license, one credit card, cash, metro pass.

When you see or hear warnings about pickpockets ... don't immediately feel for your wallet. Any pickpockets in the area immediately know who & where to target.

Thanks for more advice. I am going to look like a tourist, because I am one. lol. Maybe backpack as a purse is a bad idea. Maybe keep money, license, etc. in my front pocket and keep the backpack for bottled water, guide book, maps, etc? How about that?

That sounds reasonable to me. If someone was after your backpack, the chances that you would try to fight them off (and possibly get hurt) would be greatly reduced if nothing of real value were in it.

And you are right, you will look like a tourist. :-) nothing can prevent that.

I carried GoTravel's backpack in Paris this year. My husband nicknamed it "Truck", and it was terrific. Truck the Terrific. It carried 2-3 guide books, 2 umbrellas, Streetwise map, metro tickets (beware of these, we found that the magnetic clasp on the backpack was demagnetizing the metro tickets if placed near the clasp) and small purchases. When inside, it also carried our scarves and gloves as well. I didn't put a wallet in, and licenses, passport copies, and money were carried in money belts. It was a great system for us, especially travelling in the winter when we needed to shed clothes indoors, but didn't need the hassle of keeping track of them as we toured the museums or wherever.

Oh yes...one more plus. It leaves hands free for carrying whatever larger irresistible purchases you make which wouldn't fit in the backpack...allowing you to purchase and carry even more. :D

I've always carried a purse in NYC and never had a problem. I would be leery to carry a backpack, unless there is nothing valuable in it. Of course, I've been to NYC many many times and I don't look like a tourist and avoid crowded places (like Times Sq). If you get a purse, make sure it has a zipper and that you can tuck it under your arm close to your body. That will make you a more difficult target.

We like to wear a jacket or over shirt - over the items you are carrying (camera case, purse, etc.) Wearing it over a backpack, would not look too good, however.

I've always carried a backpack in NYC and never had a problem. My daughter lives and works there - has been there for over 10 years - and she also carries a backpack. I suppose if someone is determined to rob you there are ways for them to do it; anyway my backpack is so full up with junk that I don't think anybody could find a wallet in there without my noticing. I did have a small suitcase stolen once by a cab driver because I stupidly paid him before he opened the trunk for me to remove my stuff, and he just took off. Never again!

I have been living here for 13 years ans have never been robbed. I always carry a medium-size purse (big enough for a book, umbrella, sunglasses, cellphone, wallet) with a strong, SHORT strap so that I can tuck it under my arm. I keep my wallet in a zippered compartment inside.

Meanwhile, a friend of mine has been pickpocketed 5 times in 2 years(!). Every time it was because she was wearing a LONG-strapped purse which would often end up around her back. People reached in and took out her wallet/checkbook. I recommended that she switch to a short-strapped purse and she has had no problems ever since.

As for a backpack, I think it's fine as long as you put your valuables DEEP inside, not in an easily-unzipped external compartment.

OO-I had to laugh about the magnitized closure on the two front pockets of Truck the Terrific! I've had my share of minor demagnitizing. Mine has been all over the world with me and still hasn't worn out.

I actually sold it to a girlfriend and then bought it back.

I can't understand how a backpack would be a bad idea after seeing millions of them in NYC.

My backpack even looked good when I had to work. Breifcase over my shoulder and Truck the Terrific on my back!

Never once have I had a problem.

This just came to mind regarding backpacks in NYC. Years ago we were with another family at one of those playgrounds in the battery park city area. My friend left his backpack (with wallet) in the playground. We went out to dinner with the kids, when he realized he had left the backpack behind. It was still where he left it (on the ground near a bench), nothing missing.

MFNYC, that is one lucky friend you have, hope they bought a lottery ticket that day.

Sometimes I carry a backpack with some serious photo gear in it and it makes me a little paranoid as camera equipment is a huge target of theft. One thing that helps is I lock my backpack with little luggage locks. They slip right through the zipper pulls. Just makes it tougher for someone to slip their hands inside my bag. Perhaps a little paranoid but sometimes I also have a tripod strapped to my back so they know right away what's in the bag. Just keep your stuff close and keep an eye on it and you'll be fine.

Loki - luggage locks what a great idea! Especially for the situation you describe.

Here's another recommendation for carrying no wallet. I keep a bit of cash in a very deep front pocket and one card in the other front pocket.

If you must carry some sort of wallet, get a slim business card case which will hold a bit of cash, a few cards, but not make a bulge in your pocket. The travel suppliers (Magellan's, etc.) even has a model that snaps to your pocket lining. My husband (former big fat wallet devotee) loves this!

If you're going to set your purse (or anything else) down, stick your foot through the strap, or the leg of your chair.

The best purse is a shoulder bag to wear with the strap over one shoulder and the bag under the other arm. Especially secure on public transportation. Keep your cash/cards in the inside zipper pocket, not a wallet.

You all are great! Thanks for the suggestions. With your help, I think I found a solution. My husband has a small, flat wallet thing that he uses when he snowboards. It is slim but will fit necessary items. I'll carry that in my front pocket and then the mini backpack with water, guide book, etc. How does that sound?

According to this link, pickpocketing is up ~10%:<font color="blue">
http://www.ny1.com/ny/Search/SubTopi...earch_result=1

</font>A link on prevention:
<font color="blue">http://travel.howstuffworks.com/pickpocket2.htm

</font>Best wishes for your trip! :S-

Pickpockets are not a major problem in New York except for a couple of places - but this does include Times Square - where tourists insist on congregating for reasons beyond my understanding. I am a lifelong New Yorker and have never been pickpocketed, nor has anyone I know except for one exception.

She has had her wallet taken 3 times - because she insists on carrying an enormous open-topped purse with one of the straps always falling off her shoulder. To tell you the truth I don;t how many were taken vs how many just fell out.

If you just keep your purse closed, on your shoulder and take normal precautions (watching those around you for suspicous activity, walking briskly and assertively, not making eye contact etc) you should be fine. There is no need for any bizarre accoutrements (special packs, money belts or zipper pouches or whatever) - they just look silly - and mark you as a tourist - and an easy target.

Backpacks are great for NY for the very reasons GoTravel and Olive mentioned. Mine came in very handy for a quick change from walking the city all day to evening theater attire, just by changing shoes, top, scarf and jewelry - all in the pack. I shopped for a nice looking backpack before our trip and bought a great-looking black one that had all kinds of nooks and crannies. Oddly it had a few things I couldn't explain, like a detachable waterproof mat and a little bear hanging from it. Guess what: it was a diaper bag! I kept it anyway since I am gonna be a grandma in November. :-)

One word: fannypack!!! ;-)

Oh dear lord save us from the invasion of the fannypacks!

Sorry.....couldn't resist!!

One tip would be to always wear a good lightweight pair of joggers.Just in case you have to chase the pickpocket.

Thanks everyone! Just returned yesterday from our fantastic trip to NY. I loved it! No pick pockets! Everything safe and secure. I carried my ID and hotel key in my front pocket and a small backpack with non-essentials. I appreciated your advice very much.
P.S. cassidy2002 I know it was tongue and cheek and I agree...I would NEVER be caught dead with a fanny pack! LOL