On Tuesday the NYPD’s 73rd Precinct put residents on notice with a safety alert warning that crews have been targeting designer-brand jackets, bags and high-end sneakers. The advisory urges people to be mindful while commuting or walking and to take simple precautions to reduce the risk of being robbed. The message comes from the command based on East New York Avenue and echoes similar notices other precincts have circulated this month.
🚨 SAFETY ALERT 🚨
— NYPD 73rd Precinct (@NYPD73Pct) March 3, 2026
Be mindful when wearing designer jackets, carrying brand-name bags, or sporting high-end sneakers. Staying aware and taking simple precautions can help reduce your risk.
What the precinct advised
The post lays out practical steps: keep headphone volume low or use transparency mode, keep bags zipped and close to your body, store valuables in interior pockets, and avoid walking alone late at night "to reduce your risk," according to a post by the NYPD 73rd Precinct. The command that posted the advisory is based at 1470 East New York Avenue, according to the department’s precinct page. Officers also remind riders to hold bags in front on transit and to use a high-quality lock if they must leave items in a locker.
Where this fits citywide
Similar advisories have been shared by other NYPD commands this month, with precincts across Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx posting comparable safety checklists. Brooklyn thieves zero in on designer jackets, bags and sneakers in a recent 70th Precinct warning, and outlets have connected the rash of street snatches to a rise in high-value retail thefts, including cinematic boutique break-ins in SoHo. NBC New York covered a high-value SoHo theft that investigators say reflects the market for luxury stolen goods.
How to stay safer and report tips
Police suggest keeping valuables out of sight, stashing items in interior pockets and keeping headphone volume low so you can hear what is happening around you. For emergencies call 911; if you have footage or information you can report tips to NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS or via the program’s website. Officers encouraged residents to save video and contact their local precinct’s community affairs office with tips rather than confronting suspects.
If you witnessed a robbery or have footage, call 911 immediately and preserve the video as evidence. For non-emergencies, call 311 or reach out to your local precinct’s community affairs unit for guidance.
