iPods Causing Crime Wave??

According to a study by the Urban Institute, iPods and cell phones may be triggering a rise in violent crime.  From the study press release:

The gadgets are not just entertaining and convenient; their high value, visibility, and versatility make them "criminogenic"—or "crime-creating," in the vocabulary of criminologists. And their power to distract users can give thieves an advantage.

In the first three months of 2005, major felonies rose 18 percent on New York City's subways; but if iPod and cell phone thefts are excluded, felonies actually declined by 3 percent.

Whether or not it is true, "criminogenic" is a very cool word. 

Update:  MSNBC released a broader story on this today.