Willow Ave. crime alert.

[lysistrata.livejournal.com]

My partner and I drive scooters and both of them had screwdrivers jammed into the ignition to try to steal them. If the wheels weren't locked, they'd be gone. Be careful with your bikes, Davis Squarians.

Comments

[sungold123.livejournal.com]

Where on Willow was this?

[lysistrata.livejournal.com]

Between Highland and Morrison.

Jeebus. More crime...

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

They've got to bust these people. Police Chief what are you doing?

Re: Jeebus. More crime...

[winterhill.livejournal.com]

I saw Chief Holloway at the Urban Country Fair on Saturday. He was on his bike. Nice guy.

If you are looking for actual crime data, the resistat page on the Somerville city homepage has some crime stats by Ward. Here's a link to the report -->
http://www.somervillema.gov/CoS_Content/documents/2008-09-08_ResidentReport.pdf

Re: Jeebus. More crime...

[ron_newman]

That report is well worth plugging in a separate post. I'll do it soon if you don't.

Re: Jeebus. More crime...

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

Yes, I like Chief Holloway too.

Re: Jeebus. More crime...

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

so i'm too lazy and on too spotty an internet connection to check, but are things really getting as bad as the davis community seems to make it? I don't ever remember so many crime-related posts.

Re: Jeebus. More crime...

[lysistrata.livejournal.com]

It feels that way.

Re: Jeebus. More crime...

[ron_newman]

There seem to be lots more bicycles around than even two years ago, and that provides lots of opportunities for thieves.

Re: Jeebus. More crime...

[winterhill.livejournal.com]

I haven't combed through the Davis Square stats, but in Winter Hill, the number of car break-ins has gone up, mirroring the city-wide trend. The report contains other interesting data, like we don't use 311 as much as other wards, we had the highest number of fire incident calls, calls for fights and domestic incidents, etc. I find it useful to see the numbers (me with my crazy notions about data!) instead of relying on "it feels less safe".

And Ron, please feel free to re-post in a more visible place if you like.

[lysistrata.livejournal.com]

They were in our driveway by the back side of the house, by the way-- not on the sidewalk. They're only visible when there aren't any cars in the driveway.

[ron_newman]

Were they chained or locked to any solid object (like a bicycle would be)?

[lysistrata.livejournal.com]

We usually don't chain them up behind the house, but we will be from now on. Because the wheels lock, you'd have to get a truck in and lift them out-- which you can't do with cars in the drive.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Did they leave the screwdrivers in there? If so, take them to the police if you can. They might have the perps' fingerprints on them.

[lysistrata.livejournal.com]

No-- it was the same screwdriver for both, I'm guessing-- but it's not there. I also doubt the police would care about two almost-stolen scooters. I had my car broken into in the spring and things actually stolen and they didn't even send someone over.

[ron_newman]

Tell the police anyway, as they need to track this kind of crime even if they can't currently prevent or solve it.

[lysistrata.livejournal.com]

The police have already been notified.

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

i got my seat and my wheel stolen from Willow a few weeks ago on two separate occasions. i can't deal; i just park in my apartment now.

[lysistrata.livejournal.com]

I'm assuming you mean bike-- it would be hard to park a scooter in an apartment. :)

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

yes, i mean bike.

alarm

[o0dano0o.livejournal.com]

You may want to check into getting a disc brake alarm. (http://www.bikesax.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=DLXNXZZ&Category_Code=XEN-DSLA&Product_Count=0) I've heard good things about them.

Re: alarm

[o0dano0o.livejournal.com]

Forgot to mention - you may also want to get covers for them.

Re: alarm

[lysistrata.livejournal.com]

Mine is covered-- I'll check into the alarm thing.

Re: alarm

[o0dano0o.livejournal.com]

Another relatively cheap deterrant is a grip lock. (http://www.bikesax.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=LV100&Category_Code=SEC-LEV)

Doesn't help if there are enough people to lift it away, but it should prevent rolling (like the headset lock).