Metro: Pickpocket Warning a False Alarm

IT TURNS OUT that your pockets aren't in any greater peril at Farragut North than usual, despite a recent warning to the contrary.

An e-mail sent out Wednesday by the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District, which was picked up by this blog and elsewhere, passed along information purportedly from Metro Transit Police that pickpocketing was on the rise at the station and gave tips on how riders could protect themselves from theft. The police, the message said, "have asked us to pass this information along to people who may use that station regularly."

After our item was posted, however, we heard from Metro's communications staff, who said that the BID had it wrong. In fact, spokesman Steven Taubenkibel said, reports of pickpocketing at Farragut North are actually seeing a slight decline.

According to Leona Agouridis, the BID's executive director and the person who sent the message, it was all a big misunderstanding.

Agouridis said that she often sends out e-mails to people at the businesses her organization represents to pass along information such as Metro station closures or reports of surprise traffic flare-ups.

In this case, Agouridis says, Polly Hanson, Metro's assistant general manager for safety, security and emergency management, had told her that inquiries about pickpocketing — such as questions at public forums — had increased among people who used the Farragut stations.

"I misunderstood what Polly said to me," Agouridis said. "She said, 'Why don't you send out something about [ways to avoid] pickpocketing because inquiries are going up.'"

And that's where the message got a little garbled. But Agouridis sees a silver lining.

"On one hand, it's unfortunate that I misunderstood," she said. "But on the other hand, now lots of people have useful information about how to avoid pickpocketing."

Agouridis is used to passing information from Hanson along to the public — she once worked in Metro's communications department. Nonetheless, she said she was surprised at how far her warning traveled.

"I teach aerobics on the side and I came in last night and said, 'You'll never believe what happened,'" she said. "And someone in the class said, 'Hey, I got that e-mail.'"

» EARLIER: "Pickpocket Crews Lurk at Farragut North" [Free Ride/Express]

Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post