(Manipulated image. Original photo courtesy Photos8.com)

Bay Area Rapid Transit Police, the law enforcers of the tracks in the San Francisco Bay Area, want rail-riding iPad owners to be on guard.

"Along with attracting attention from curious commuters, the iPad -- like other easily portable and expensive electronic devices -- may also be a new target for potential thieves," police said in a news relase Monday.

Among the tips from BART police:

• Stay alert and pay close attention to your surroundings. Those who "zone out" listening to music on their iPods, texting on their phones, playing video games or working on laptop computers make themselves easier targets.
• Hold on to your belongings - do not leave them lying out of your reach on the seat next to you or on the floor.
• Keep purses or backpacks close to the front of your body. On a crowded train, something hanging behind you might create a crime of opportunity for a thief.
• If it is possible, don't stand directly by the train doors with your electronic device, because that could give a thief an easier exit to "grab and go" as the door is closing.
• Be the eyes and ears for others around you to help create a safer commuity for everyone.

Mac|Life thinks these tips can come in handy in any mass transit scenario. But we'll add one: if you find yourself personally in danger, surrender your gadgets and live to geek out another day. It's a bummer to replace a stolen iPad, iPhone, or Macbook, but Apple will make more. Your parents only made one of you.