By Julianne Obregon and Cardling Del Real
The Sheriff’s Department is working on a plan to help eliminate bike thefts occurring on campus.
Team Leader Deputy William Dunkin said the campus has had two or three more bikes stolen over the last six months from different handrails.
Deputy Jessie Martinez said that a bike was stolen Feb. 18 between the G and H buildings. The bicycle was not secured onto a bike rack, but onto a handrail. Martinez also said there isn’t much foot traffic going on between the G and H buildings.
Martinez said within the last year there have been under 12 bicycles stolen on campus. The bikes tend to get stolen before noon when the majority of students are on campus.
“I ride my bike to school because it is more efficient and saves me money, but with the recent increase in bike thefts I fear that my bike can get stolen,” ELAC student Hector Roman said. “I think the campus should provide a gated area for bikes that require a permit like the school’s parking structure.”
Dunkin said the Sheriff’s Department is working on the idea of getting a bike registration process going.
This bike registration will require bike riders to locate the serial number which is under the sprocket where the pedals are and register his or her name along with that number.
Each bike encountered by deputies on campus will have its serial number entered into the database. This process will help identify stolen bikes.
The Sheriff’s Department recommends that anyone who chooses to leave bikes unattended for a long period of time invests in a U-lock. U-locks are more secure, and unlike a spiral cable lock, they will be more difficult to cut into.
This will make it tougher for a bike thief to steal without being seen.
Students and faculty should secure their bikes onto a bike rack by using a hardened-steel U-lock as the primary lock and should lock the bike frame, not just the wheels.
As an extra precaution, students and faculty should also use locking skewers around both wheels. Tightening the lock may also reduce the risk of having the lock cut.
Some of the U-lock brands recommended by the Sheriff’s Department are Kryptonite, Bulldog and Bell. These are known to be effective in preventing bike thefts because they are more difficult to cut.
Bikes should also be locked onto a bike rack instead of a pole or handrail. Locking a bike to either makes it an easier target because they are not constantly watched.
Bike theft prevention tips
| •Use a U-lock to secure bikes. They are more difficult to cut into. | •For extra protection, use locking skewers around both wheels. |
| •Place the U-lock around a permanent object, through both seat stays and rear wheel. | •Know the bike’s description. Record the color, year, make, type and serial number. |
| •Lock the bike in a well-lit area near other bikes. Try to vary its location whenever possible. | •Report suspicious individuals hanging around bike racks. |
Sources: East Los Angeles College and Los Angeles Mission College Sheriff Stations