SEPTA warning to keep your iPhone close

SEPTA is warning riders of the Market Frankford and Broad Street lines to be smart about when they check their smartphones. 

SEPTA’s Jerry Williams says thieves are snatching everything from e-readers to iPads to smartphones to make some fast cash.   On the Broad Street Subway and Market Frankford El there were 315 thefts and 99 robberies in the past year.

“The percentage is about one percent or lower, but when it comes to having your cell phone stolen it’s that’s important, that’s cash and in some cases where people hold onto their cell phones too tight it’s a situation where you might be injured in some way,” said Williams.

Williams says SEPTA is warning passengers to stow their gadgets — especially right before a station stop.

“We have announcements on our trains saying we’d like our riders to safeguard their electronic devices,” said Williams.

Williams says SEPTA isn’t seeing the same problem on the regional rail trains.  Because the doors open and close more slowly, it’s tougher for criminals to escape quickly.