Bike theft on the rise
Students had better make sure their bikes are locked up,
according to CSU police.
There have been 36 bike thefts reported to the CSU Police
Department so far this month. This number towers in comparison to
previous years. In 2003, 93 bikes were reported stolen during the
entire year. In 2002, 119 bike thefts were reported.
“On campus we’re getting hammered pretty good,” said Capt. Bob
Chaffee of CSUPD. “What we’re hoping to do is get the community
involved.”
CSUPD officers have been keeping a closer eye on bike racks the
past few weeks to try and dissuade or catch bike thieves. They are
hoping students and faculty will also pay special attention to
anyone suspiciously lingering near bike racks and report any tips
to CSUPD.
The last time such a large number of bikes were stolen in a
short time period was the summer of 2002.
“The last time this happened, it was people selling them to pawn
shops for drug money,” said Joan Williams, records manager for
CSUPD. “It was a huge case. We recovered like 50 bikes.”
CSUPD was able to recover the bikes thanks to a community tip.
Chaffee is urging the community to respond similarly to this rash
of bike thefts.
“We get a lot more bang for our buck if the community calls us
(with tips),” Chaffee said.
Chaffee also recommends that bikers take extra care when locking
their bikes. Bikes are safest with a u-lock or a super-strong cable
lock, or a combination of the two, Chaffee said.
Brian Lohrey, a junior human development student, had his bike
stolen when he left it locked up outside Moby Arena for about an
hour on the morning of April 6.
“I really had never thought of someone stealing my bike,” Lohrey
said. “It was a real shock. I was really mad.”
Since his bike was stolen, Lohrey has had to ride his skateboard
or get rides from friends to get around. He still has not recovered
his bike, but he has not stopped looking.
“I’ve been looking every time I go on campus on bike racks and
stuff,” Lohrey said. “I just hope whoever stole it is going to use
it and not just let it sit there because I would have used it.”
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