How to avoid having your wallet stolen in Ann Arbor and while traveling

Since I discussed purse safety in a previous article, I thought I'd touch on some things you should know about carrying a wallet, especially if you travel during the holidays.Â

Ann Arbor doesn't have a pocket-picking problem. Pick pocket thieves are rare because it takes a bit of skill to perform this theft. About the only time anyone in Ann Arbor gets a wallet stolen from his or her pocket is during a robbery (a theft accomplished by the use or threat of force), when they leave their wallet in a jacket draped over a chair when they get up to dance, or when the victim is highly intoxicated to the point of being incapacitated.

During your travels, you should know in larger cities, airports, train stations, sports arenas, bars and near casinos, pick-pockets can be a problem. Many years ago, a New York City Police Department detective who happened by the station informed us he had worked a detail in New York that specialized in arresting (actually, cops in New York don’t arrest people, they “collar” “perps”) pocket picking thieves.

The NYPD detective told us the best place for your wallet is in your front pants pocket. Furthermore, the wallet should be wrapped with a rubber band. The rubber band creates friction in the pocket and will defeat most pick pockets. Inside coat pockets are the next best place for a rubber-band equipped wallet. Â

You won’t look as cool pulling your wallet out with the rubber band on it, but it will be safer. If you want to add a little panache to your rubber band nerd wallet, consider using a purple rubber band from broccoli, just like the mob guys use for their wads of cash.Â

It’s interesting wiseguys use rubber bands for their money instead of expensive money clips, but the rubber bands keep the money from sliding out of their pockets.

The worse place to keep your wallet is in an outside coat pocket, especially if the coat doesn’t have a snap or some sort of closure. You are probably more likely to lose your wallet than to have it stolen if you carry it in an open jacket pocket.

If you should ever find a wallet, by law you must turn it in to the police department, according to Public Act 273 of 1987. Obviously, if the owner is nearby, you can give the wallet back to the owner - but otherwise, you have to turn in any found property to the police department in the jurisdiction where the property was found.

Lock it up, don’t leave it unattended, be aware and watch out for your neighbors.

Rich Kinsey is a retired Ann Arbor Police Department detective sergeant who now blogs about crime and safety for AnnArbor.com.