rampant bike thieves

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

There are some serious bike thieves on or around Willow Avenue.

After parking my bike in front of the house for a year, nothing happened until last week, when someone stole my wheel. It was an old Trek, and time for an upgrade anyway, but still really annoying.

So then I got a newer bike from Craigslist. I bought a cable, which I've wrapped through my wheels in addition to the U Lock I was already using. At night I brought the bike inside EVERY night but Saturday. Saturday the downpour was so bad, and I was busy, so I flaked on bringing the bike inside.

Sunday I was ready to ride my bike to the Union Square flea market, only to discover that the seat was missing.

I understand now that I will ALWAYS have to park my bike inside at night. But I find it ironic that after living on Columbia St. in Cambridge for 4 years (an area where people shook their heads in dismay upon me telling them I lived "across from the projects"), the worst theft has happened right here on friendly Willow.

Comments

[m00n.livejournal.com]

Just based on the number of people I've seen post here about bicycles (and bicycle accessories) being stolen from that rack, I'd say that's probably sound advice.

Still, it's tempting to use those racks because a) space is always plentiful on them, b) they're easy to lock to, and c) they're right next to the train. Rather than just having Somervillians avoid the racks, I'd LOVE to see the city and the MBTA do something to make the racks a safe place for people to put their bicycles. Perhaps by adding a single conspicuously placed closed-circuit video camera or something?

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

yeah... a video camera may work, but in terms of the psychology of theft, people are less likely to steal locked bikes in front of stores b/c they don't know when you're returning. i feel like by the time video footage is caught, the bike is already gone. i use my bike constantly so obviously i'd rather it just not get stolen than try to track down the thief afterwards. but yes, a video camera would be better than nothing.

[m00n.livejournal.com]

I'd think it would act as a deterrent more than anything. Especially if it actually resulted in a few arrests. I figure if a thief has to choose between a place where his act might be caught on tape and one where it probably won't, they'll choose the latter if it's otherwise a tossup.

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

good point. awhile ago on this site someone posted about recruiting young reps for the Somerville City Council to showcase the issues which concern us. maybe we could find out who is going to those meetings and broach the video camera subject.

[alexdw.livejournal.com]

That is presupposing that the thief has brains to begin with...

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

well, it's presupposing that they don't want to get caught.