Author: Erik Parker, Torch Staff
Despite measures to secure their personal property, several students have reported recent bike thefts to the College’s Campus Safety Department.
Campus Safety Officer Sergeant Claudia Conde said there has been an increase in the number of bicycle robberies this semester since last semester, although she did not cite the exact number of stolen bikes. She stated that bicycle theft has not been this significant of a problem on campus before this semester.
Conde explained how witnesses described the person who might be responsible for the thefts. “The description of one guy matches all the thefts,” she said. “He is male, Hispanic.”
However, it appears as though the suspect is not working alone. “They travel in packs,” Conde said. “They have baggy pants and shaved heads.” She said these suspects have been seen often around the scenes of bike thefts and that one student reported seeing them with backpacks and bolt cutters.
This was the same group of young men that confronted a student walking in the neighborhood and took his iPod, Conde said.
Conde had advice for students to avoid more bicycle thefts. “Continue to lock up your bikes,” she said. “Some people don’t.” Conde said students should double lock their bicycles-one on the front wheel and one on the back wheel.
It doesn’t matter where on campus a bicycle is located, she said; no one outdoor location is more secure than another. “Some people have them inside, like in Norris quads,” she said. However, not all residence halls and rooms have the space to accommodate bicycles.
Isaac Cohen (first-year) had his BMX bicycle stolen from Pauley Hall. At the time, he was lending his bicycle locks to a friend, but said his bicycle was in a secluded location inside Pauley.
“I used my BMX very often, as it was my hobby, stress [reliever] and [mode of] general enjoyment,” Cohen said. “It is a big inconvenience without it.”
Last week, another student had his bicycle stolen from outside of Braun, even though he used a bicycle lock on the front wheel. According to Campus Safety reports, the bicycle was worth $3,500.
Conde stressed the importance of everyday safety measures. She encouraged students to keep their bikes safe and call Campus Safety if they see any suspicious characters or activity.
“We’re right in the metropolitan area,” she said. “Everyone needs to use their common sense.”
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