The constant blaring of loudspeaker announcements saying, “Beware of pickpockets. Police Department”, is alarming and frustrating to many people. The announcement warns that pickpocketing crimes are most frequently committed in markets, shopping centers, service facilities, and crowded public spaces. Therefore, the police urge citizens to remain vigilant while walking along streets, squares, and public areas, to regularly check their mobile phones and personal belongings, and to take preventive measures against theft.
However, when the loudspeaker suddenly shouts this warning at full volume, it startles people so badly that they nearly call the police themselves. People instinctively glance suspiciously at those around them, pat their pockets to check their belongings, and only then feel relieved. In such moments, one begins to question, “Am I the thief, or are you the thief?” While searching the crowd with wary eyes for someone who looks suspicious, it becomes unsettling to realize that others might also be looking at you with the same suspicion.
These loud announcements which repeatedly shout, “Beware of pickpockets. Police Department”, have been playing nonstop morning, afternoon, evening, and night at many locations, including the bus stops near Officers’ Palace, Bayangol Hotel, the National University of Mongolia, and the pedestrian crossing in front of the State Department Store. This has caused considerable anxiety and irritation among the public for quite some time. Many people have expressed their dissatisfaction online, saying, “Ulaanbaatar is becoming a city of thieves. How can it be called a friendly city?”
Unfortunately, the government seems unwilling to listen to citizens’ voices. Instead, it appears to be further tightening control and restricting people’s rights to live freely, safely, and healthily, as well as their rights to free speech and expression, thereby trampling on democratic values. In Ulaanbaatar City where happiness already feels increasingly distant, it seems as though there is not a single bright or positive development left, while dark and distressing messages are forcefully broadcast even in public squares. What kind of nightmare is this?
Is it really necessary to shout such warnings even around the State Department Store, where large numbers of foreign tourists gather? Publicly portraying Ulaanbaatar as a city infested with thieves and criminals seems unnecessarily crude and damaging to its image.
Let us consider the numbers. Nationwide, 7,626 theft crimes were recorded in 2024, while in 2025 this number decreased to 7,017, which is a reduction of 609 cases. Under Section 17.1 of the Criminal Code, individuals who commit such crimes are subject to legal accountability, including imprisonment. In other words, whether these loud warnings are broadcast or not, the law is still being enforced and offenders are receiving appropriate punishment.
Meanwhile, police officials report that fraud-related crimes are increasing year by year, particularly those involving technology. Last year, 16,906 fraud cases were recorded nationwide. In 2024, there were nearly 15,890 such cases. This means fraud crimes increased by 6.4 percent, or 1,017 cases, in 2025. Essentially, burglars and pickpockets have now “moved” into the digital world. Instead of stealing from physical pockets, criminals are emptying bank accounts online, which is a trend also acknowledged by legal and judicial authorities.
In this context, as criminals become increasingly sophisticated alongside technological development, is it acceptable for preventive measures to remain so crude and outdated? Rather than frightening, embarrassing, and alarming citizens—including those hurrying home after work, schoolchildren, elderly individuals, and people already burdened with personal difficulties—authorities should consider more thoughtful and effective solutions that do not disrupt public peace and well-being.
Ulaanbaatar increasingly resembles a city filled with criminals, where survival feels like completing dangerous missions, not unlike the series Squid Game, where people are forced to eliminate one another. It feels as though Mongolians themselves are becoming more self-centered, forgetting moral values and ethics, and feeding on negativity.
PEOPLE TEND TO ACCEPT NEGATIVE INFORMATION PERSONALLY
Ulaanbaatar, already labeled globally for its severe air pollution and often referred to as a “valley of death”, now risks gaining yet another reputation—a city of thieves. Television, websites, newspapers, magazines, and social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram are saturated with alarming news about crimes, murders, and violence. People of all ages, from children to the elderly, are constantly consuming negative news and video content on their mobile phones, while publicly condemning one another online.
Even institutions such as the National Police Agency and the Independent Authority Against Corruption frequently circulate fear-inducing messages. Although these are intended as warnings, little consideration is given to the psychological harm such messages may cause to citizens. To better understand this issue, we asked Psychologist D.Namuunzaya about how loud and intrusive warnings broadcast in public spaces—including streets, squares, and other shared areas—affect society’s mental well-being.
D.Namuunzaya explained, “Repeatedly delivering negative information creates anxiety and fear within society. Rather than functioning purely as preventive messaging, people begin to internalize the information as if it has happened to them personally, which can psychologically harm them. For example, when people repeatedly hear reports such as ‘A child has gone missing’ or ‘A child has been abducted’, they begin to perceive it as a personal reality, which in turn creates fear and anxiety for both parents and children. Adults may believe they are processing such information rationally, but fear and anxiety have already taken root subconsciously.”
“If people do not critically filter information, society risks turning into a place where everyone acts like police officers and judges on social media. For instance, there is hardly anyone who is unaware of the case involving the death of a 16-year-old girl. Everyone is eager to watch the video footage. But we are not judges. Repeatedly broadcasting shocking and disturbing cases through multiple channels can lead people to lose their rational judgment,” she continued.
The psychologist then explained, “Excessive exposure to negative information can increase fascination with crime, encourage cruel or violent behavior, and ultimately impact overall quality of life. The loud public announcements at bus stops saying ‘Beware of pickpockets’ not only affect people psychologically but may also violate human rights. People may begin to suspect individuals who appear poor or poorly dressed as potential thieves. This undermines compassion and humanity between people, while increasing anger and stress.”
“Instead of labeling someone as a potential criminal, warnings could be framed differently—such as, ‘Please take care of your belongings and remain cautious.’ In general, our society lacks psychological education. Moral values, respect, and empathy toward others are gradually diminishing, which is deeply concerning. Children are losing respect for their parents and teachers, while many parents are excessively spoiling or improperly raising their children, leading to situations where they later struggle to manage them during adolescence,” D.Namuunzaya concluded.
WE SHOULD NOT BE LIVING IN FEAR
In every corner of Ulaanbaatar City, countless “eyes” seem to be watching the city’s residents. As of January, 2,758 surveillance cameras have been newly installed outside businesses and organizations across the capital city. Officials state that a centralized citywide monitoring center, along with sub-centers in each district, has been established, complete with infrastructure, management and control systems, and software.
However, the outskirts of ger districts, where theft, robbery, and violence occur most frequently, remain engulfed in darkness, with little lighting and no surveillance cameras. It appears that children and elderly people who return home in the dark, often accompanied only by barking dogs, are not considered residents of a city where crime exists.
Authorities claim that with the help of artificial intelligence, traffic violations are now detected quickly, traffic congestion has decreased, and drivers have become more disciplined, which is frequently praised as an achievement of the city mayor. It is even said that this success has significantly boosted the mayor’s popularity. If that is the case, one would expect the numerous surveillance cameras to record every movement of residents and leave criminals with nowhere to hide. Yet, the fact that loudspeaker announcements continue to shout warnings, frightening and embarrassing citizens, suggests that the vision of those many “eyes” may not be as sharp as claimed.
Perhaps these loudspeaker warnings are being used as a backup measure when the city’s many “eyes” go blind during power outages. Other countries also broadcast warnings about pickpockets through loudspeakers. However, such announcements are typically made only in heavily crowded tourist destinations and busy commercial areas. There is little need to alarm children and elderly people simply waiting for a bus.
In many European countries, similar issues are addressed through digital display screens, signboards, mobile alerts, and police patrols rather than constant loudspeaker announcements. It is rare to hear crime warnings delivered as if they were uplifting news meant to inspire people, or dramatically recited like poetry at the “Bolor Tsom” literary awards. In fact, people may eventually become so accustomed to these announcements that instead of becoming more cautious, they may stand distracted with their mouths open and lose their phones.
At some point, people may even begin thinking, “Theft happens everywhere. Why should we be afraid if thieves are all around us anyway?” Everyone understands that where large crowds gather, theft, robbery, disputes, and other accidents can occur regardless of whether warnings are announced loudly or not. What citizens truly want is a fair and reliable justice system that protects them if they become victims—not to live in constant fear and anxiety.
Who will take responsibility for repeatedly shouting these warnings, testing citizens’ patience, denying them peace and quiet, and creating unnecessary distress? The city already struggles with noise, traffic congestion, and stress. Authorities should stop adding further pressure and spreading fear within society. Unless theft and robbery have reached the level of an extraordinary public threat, citizens should not be forced to live in fear as if they were in a country at war.
