Bicycle thefts at the UA decreased 25 percent last year, according to the 2007 Campus Safety and Security report released by campus police yesterday.
The number of bike thefts on campus decreased to 245 in 2006 from 327 in 2005, while general theft, not including stolen cars, went up 4 percent to 617 incidents.
The number of bike thefts annually increases and decreases in a continual cycle, as no single cause tends to explain a reduction in incidents, said Luis Puig, operations support coordinator for the University of Arizona Police Department.
According to UAPD, taking proper safety precautions and using a bike lock can prevent bike theft. Police advise using some form of protective device, like a U-lock, to secure bicycles to racks.
Sociology junior Sherry Legend said she tries to make her bike unique in appearance in case it gets stolen.
“”I try to make mine as distinctive as possible by putting stickers all over it,”” she said.
Erika Fisher, a sociology senior, said that while she takes safety precautions, she knows she’s not immune to theft.
“”It is always in the back of my mind,”” she said. “”I love my bike and would never want it stolen.””
This week,
I try to make mine as distinctive as possible by putting stickers all over it.
-Sherry Legend,
sociology junior
UAPD and Parking and Transportation Services have teamed up to give students an opportunity to decrease the risk of their bicycles being stolen.
Representatives from both organizations will have stations near three residence halls for students to register their bicycles and purchase $13 U-locks. The stations are open from 1-3 p.m. through Thursday.
Today, representatives will be on North Highland Avenue in front of La Paz Residence Hall, 602 N. Highland Ave. Tomorrow, they will be on East Second Street near Coconino Residence Hall, 1003 N. Olive Road. Thursday, they will be at Sky View Apartments, 1050 E. Eighth St.
The 2007 Campus Safety and Security Report is available online at www.uapd.arizona.edu
