On campus, opportunity for bicycle theft depends on location and time.  According to statistics provided by Lt. Syrilyn Tong, of the University Police Department, 20 thefts occurred in 2006 and 12 thefts have occurred so far this year.  Four thefts occurred at Rasmuson Library.  MBS, has had the most thefts, six, thus far in 2007. 
            An owner can best prevent theft by using a bicycle rack and proper lock.
            The wrong lock on your bike is as good as no lock at all. Cables, as heavy as they look, may not be an owner’s best option, either.  “A fair sized cable cutter will be able to defeat them,” said the lieutenant.  She highly recommended using a U-shaped lock with a round, tubular keyhole since they are harder to pick. 
            Park on a bicycle rack.  Anywhere else, the owner risks confiscation or.  Parking Services has the authority to impound improperly parked bicycles with the correspondence of the Police Department.  Students should contact the parking offices first incase their bicycle was impounded and not stolen. Examples of improper locations are sidewalks, railings, or trees. 
            To help prevent theft and find your bicycle if it goes missing, university police recommend students record the following information. Record the serial number—it can be found on the under-side of the bicycle between the pedals—and register the bicycle at the police department where they can label it with the owner’s name.  When reporting a missing bicycle, tell the police the make, model, serial number, color and any other features to assist in the search. 
            The number one advice Lt. Tong has to offer is this: “Get a good lock. Check it [the bicycle] regularly.  Don’t just leave it there, especially over the winter and forget about it. Check it once a week, just to make sure it’s still there.”