'Look Up, Phone Down' LAPD launches ‘distracted walking' safety campaign

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11) - The LAPD has launched a campaign to keep pedestrians from becoming a victim of crime, or a victim of their own carelessness. The campaign is about 'distracted walking'.

Authorities report that so many people are focused on cell phones, iPods and the like, that they lose sight of their surroundings, and that makes they easy prey for thieves and robbers.

It's an addiction, criminals are taking advantage of. "I definitely wish I was more aware," says Jetnadine Reyes.

"It's really huge because you have your bank cards, because they're connected to your phone, you have all your social media and a lot of personal things as well. Your pictures that sometimes not all the time that we upload stuff on our computer," Moira Salazar.

Some say they have precautionary measures in case their phone gets lost or stolen: "I have a mac and iPad as well and those have 'Find My iPhone' as well. So if something were to happen God forbid, I do have that," says Jordyn Feldman.

The LAPD also says those same people are an accident waiting to happen, like tripping over an uneven sidewalk or even walking into traffic.

The catch phrase here: "Look Up, Phone Down".

The LAPD also launched a distracted driver campaign in back in May.