Bike thefts on rise

Three confirmed stolen in recent weeks, Sheriff ’s station offers prevention advice

KE-ALANI SARMIENTO Reporter @kealaninews

Two bicycles were stolen from the same bike rack near the Math building on Wednesday, Nov. 25, and the Pierce College Sheriff’s Department has no suspects in the theft.

“Bike theft is kind of a big thing throughout the whole San Fernando Valley right now,” said Security Officer Justin Ramos of the Pierce Sheriff’s station. “Most of them that are getting stolen are those that had really cheap bike locks.”

Including those on Nov. 25, there have been at least three bikes reported stolen since the beginning of the fall semester. Ramos offered advice for students who ride their bikes to campus, and warned that certain parts of campus are more prone to thefts than others. He also said that fixed-gear bicycles are particularly attractive to thieves.

“Always park your bike in a more open area where there are more pedestrians,” Ramos said. “High traffic areas makes it harder for them to come up. Don’t bring expensive bikes. The most bikes that are getting stolen right now are the ‘fixies.’”

The location of the bike rack a student chooses to use also plays a major factor in its vulnerability to theft, as bikes can be stolen more easily from less-trafficked areas on campus. Ramos said that most of the thefts are reported from the racks in front of the South Gym and the racks between the Freudian Sip and the

Wednesday. According to the report, an unidentified male violated a court order when he approached his expartner near an unspecified parking lot.

11/30—Student Dispute

Student Services Building.

The Sheriff’s Office received information last year about the strategies thieves use to steal bikes.

According to Ramos, thieves often work in groups. One person will pretend to park and lock a bike, while another person cuts the lock of the targeted bicycle.

“I ride my bike so I don’t have to deal with parking,” said Anthony Hoang, a student at Pierce College. “Sometimes I’m in a rush and don’t get a chance to lock my bike good.”

The Sheriff’s Department has advised bicyclists to use strong bike locks and to be on alert for groups of people walking up to bike structures.

“Once I get to campus, I usually park my bike by the parking lots and walk the rest of the way to class,”

Pierce student Kevin Truong said. “I think I might change that now.”

The Sheriff’s station received a report at about 9 p.m. Monday of an argument between two students in VLGE 8400.

11/30—Traffic Incident

At about 12:45 p.m. Monday, a student driving on Stadium Way lost control of his or her car and crashed into a center divider.

No injuries were reported, but there was property damage associated with the accident.

Pierce College Sheriff’s Station General Information: (818) 719-6450 Emergency: (818) 710-4311