|
FUTURES & OPTIONS
Speaker's Security Lessons in High Demand
BY BAMBI VINCENT
Special to the Tall Swede Journal
In today's climate of fear and suspicion, we all seem to be looking over our shoulders when we
travel. But do we know what to look for? Would we know a bad guy if we saw one?
Criminologist Bob Arno practically guarantees the safety of his attendees after his show-and-tell
lecture, Thefts, Cons, and Street Scams. Illustrated with demonstrations, brought to life with
video, and peppered with anecdotes, Arno's presentation teaches awareness and how to spot
suspicious behavior.
Talks are tailored for specific audiences according to travel sophistication level, and might be
customized for particular itineraries.
For each country and city covered, Arno defines the creative ruses used to con or rob a tourist.
He shows video examples of actual incidents.
|
Each MO is admirable for its sheer deviousness. For instance, some thieves in Barcelona sidle up to potential victims for a few friendly soccer
maneuvers; others help clean off fake pigeon poop which they sneakily applied earlier; one
proffers postcards for sale; another impersonates a policeman. In all cases, they end up with
victims' wallets. All this, in just one city. Audiences are taught when to accept the assistance of a
good samaritan, and when to hear alarm bells.
Public transportation is a subject all its own, with vivid video examples and tips to thwart the
sliest sneak thieves. Arno also covers hotel security, luggage precautions, identity theft and,
perhaps most importantly, how to prepare for the unexpected loss of credit cards and passports.
"I attended your lecture on Aug. 20th," wrote Emile Gurstelle, a grateful nonvictim. "What I
learned came in very
|
handy in Barcelona. My wife and I were marked two or three times, and I
was able to both identify the intentions of the potential perpetrators and foil their attempts.
"I believe that the lessons we learned from you helped us to both notice and thwart the attempts
of these people."
Arno's lecture is popular with lay audiences; both domestic travelers and extensive worldwide
travelers benefit.
According to attendees, Arno's info is as fascinating as it is useful. On top-of-the-line cruise ships,
Arno easily packs 1000-seat theaters, despite the wealth of activities – not to mention sunshine –
simultaneously available to passengers.
Arno is a favorite speaker for law enforcement and security agencies as well. Keynote speaker at
Detroit's Safety and Security Conference on September 10, 2001, he'll speak at Anaheim's early
next year.
|
Necessity Demands Invention of "Shoebox-Cam"
|
Athens—What could be more natural than an ordinary shoebox tucked under an arm?
Unless one opened it, that is. Inside, a twisted tangle of electronics connected by a web of wires
and powered by a brick-like battery nestle snugly alongside a digital video recorder. A pinhole
Bob Arno demonstrates his own invention. Note the small punc- ture in the box side for the lens.
|
lens pokes through a microscopic puncture in the side of the box. A thimble-sized remote control
protrudes on a slim cable.
This ingenious contraption allowed Arno to film thieves' hands as they dipped into his pockets.
The box's bulk kept bodies, including the thieves', from getting in the way of the shot.
With the box carried casually, the minuscule lens points directly down toward the target pocket.
Yet, unlike fixed hidden cameras, the box is maneuverable and can even be pointed at a perp's
face. A tiny led glows red to confirm that the packaged camera is in record mode.
Shoebox-cam proved priceless throughout the Arnos' two-month research trip. Bob Arno, pioneer
pickpocket
|
photojournalist, invented the innocent-appearing apparatus when he was frustrated by
thieves who used their bodies, jackets, or satchels to shield their steals. With shoebox-cam, Arno
got the shot every time.
Thieves stealing from Arno got an empty wallet every time, and a shot at the big-time on tv.
Carried casually, shoebox-cam is never suspected or questioned
|
|
Destinations,
recent and future
Hong Kong was a delightful respite in February for Bob Arno and Bambi.Perched in the
penthouse of their Kowloon hotel, an unknown gem with a million-dollar view, the roving rogue
and roguette plotted their complicated March.
Singapore was the setting for three unrelated gigs in March, including a week-long Ericsson
conference at which Arno moderated. Between the events, Arno flew exactly halfway around the
world and back, Singapore-to-Stockholm, for an urgent meeting with another arm of Ericsson.
Luckily, his Singapore attire was supplemented by a warm wardrobe kept in Stockholm.
The Travel Channel caught Arno in May, between trips to London and Russia. "Vegas Caught on
Tape" will feature the Swedish Swindler.
Russian thieves working the lively Nevsky Prospekt in St. Petersburg faced the blunt end of the
Arnos' cameras. Thanks to longtime friend and translator Vladimir, one talented perp submitted to
an interview. After meetings with local police friends and a former KGB agent, Vladimir hosted
his foreign friends at the opera: Verdi's Forces of Destiny in the Mariinsky Theater (the former
Kirov).
The evening began a farce when the Arnos were bounced at the door: not for lack of fashion, but
because Vladimir had purchased tickets priced for Russians and the Arnos, despite their closed
mouths, couldn't pass. The chagrined Russian and his guests couldn't come up with enough rubles
and the box office wouldn't take AmEx. Verdi was well into Act II by the time a sympathetic
usher snuck the three in. Meanwhile, Arno got sidetracked by pickpockets in the stairwell,
perhaps his preference to opera, anyway.
|