[UC] bike theft sting operation

[Jeremy Leipzig]

i think we need to start a sting operation with the help of law  
enforcement and maybe a telemetry device. A nice bike locked up with  
a cable lock will be stolen eventually. Once you find where the thief  
is bringing the bikes the whole operation falls apart.

to add BRIEFLY to the question of bike theft - a friend lost a bike  
because she locked it to a signpost on the street - the thief  
actually unscrewed the sign, removed it from the post, and lifted  
the bike up and off ! (probably working from the bed of a pickup at  
night)

From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of S. Sharrieff Ali
Sent: Tue 6/12/2007 10:59 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED];  
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; UnivCity@list.purple.com
Subject: RE: Warning : Damage to porch to Steal a bike and recent  
entry in the day

The real problem here is storing a bike on a porch. The answer is…


“JUST DON’T DO IT”.


Storing bikes on porches is just asking for trouble. If a thief  
sees a bike on a

porch not only will they attempt to steal the bike (and damage what  
ever it is chained to)

but also take a look in your windows to see what else is available.


I personally don’t believe window bars are necessary if you are  
doing some of the other

important anti-crime practices such as:


Trimming scrubs which block the pedestrian-way or porch-view.
Create well lit exteriors particularly installing porch lights.
Invest in a monitored alarm system for your home and display a sign  
or sticker.
Closing curtains when no one is at home or at night before you go  
to bed.
Not placing valuables in windows such as bikes or computers  
(laptops) etc.
Keeping a log of suspicious activity for your block and forwarding  
to the police.
Calling 911 when you see potentially dangerous things happening.

We need to be a bit smarter about crime & safety.


I have a block safety guide and a safety survey for distribution,  
just e-mail me off-list.


The keys are communicating with neighbors and the police about what  
is happening on your block.


S

-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:owner- 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mariellen Smith
Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 10:25 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; UnivCity@list.purple.com
Subject: Re: Warning : Damage to porch to Steal a bike and recent  
entry in the day


It always struck me as strange that all those really nice houses  
around Osage and Larchwood don't have bars on the windows. The  
people with the really nice homes would presumably also have some  
really nice stuff. And they are the only houses around without  
bars. If you were going to steal, where would you go? I know that  
area looks like a nice suburb, but people seem to have forgotten  
that they are still in the city. The bars are not that pretty, but  
there is a reason why most homes have them.

The rule of Philadelphia is, 'If it's not locked up or nailed down,  
somebody's going to take it. And even if it is, somebody's still  
going to try.' This is certainly true with bikes. When you bring a  
bike into this city, you should probably just reconcile yourself to  
the fact that you are really just renting it. I'm on bike # 2. Bike  
# 1 was stolen off my porch on 43rd and Larchwood. It's unfortunate  
and it's not right, but it's how it is. There are lots of good  
people and nice homes in this area, but you need to remember where  
you are. You still need to be vigilant about your self, your home,  
and your belongings.

On a side note, that thief seems really bad at what he does.  
Hopefully, he will get caught soon and no one will get hurt.

-Mariellen Smith

At 07:11 PM 6/11/2007, Vivianne T. Nachmias wrote:


and I am told by my husband that a house on 400 block of 47th St.  
was broken into (window, first floor) during the day..... the  
burglar was seen by some  one and scared him away.... a member of  
the househo0ld was on the 3rd floor and did not hear the peerson so  
maybe it happened fasst.
do be sure windows are locked.
Vivianne
On Jun 11, 2007, at 2:43 PM, Elizabeth F Campion wrote:




I do not have all the details yet, but a bike was stolen from a  
porch on the 4700 block of Baltimore.
The wooden Porch Railing that it was chained to was severely damaged.

It seems clear that a serial thief is in our midst and we need to  
exercise greater precautions until the thief is caught and stopped  
(if necessary via lengthy detention).  I hope you and your property  
are and remain safe.


Meanwhile, this bike was the primary form of transportation for a  
eco-friendly, female grad student.
So if anyone has an obsoleted or extra bicycle that (must be  
functioning, or within just a few dollars of working) that they can  
donate (or sell cheaply) that could suit a young woman about 5'7"  
tall, please let me know off list.


Other spare bikes, including kids bikes, helmets and parts, might  
be welcome donations at the Neighborhood Bike Works.
NBW is a good organization that helps people, especially kids,  
learn to respect and repair equipment, appreciate the environment,  
gain better understanding of cost versus value, and learn and  
follow rules in a cooperative environment.
I just checked out their site and saw a notice about summer camps.

http://www.neighborhoodbikeworks.org/

ATTENTION:


Neighborhood Bike Works is offering 4 Earn-a-Bike Summer Camps.  
Spaces are limited! Click here to download the application. Feel  
free to contact us should you have any questions or concerns.


Best!
Liz