Bicycle thefts in Arlington this are down about 40 percent so far this year.
The Arlington County Police Department announced yesterday that 74 bicycles have been reported stolen this year, compared with 124 at this same point last year.
The report comes less than a year after ACPD declared bike thefts to be at an “all-time high,” and just seven months after one bike thief was sentenced to 12 years in prison in the middle of a bicycle thief crackdown.
Despite the drop in reported thefts, ACPD says it still is “aggressively working to reduce the number of incidents,” but offered some tips on ways to avoid getting your bike stolen.
From Arlington County police:
- Do NOT leave bikes unsecured on your lawn, porch or driveway.
- Always lock your bike’s frame and wheels with a high quality U-Lock to a solid, fixed object. Cables don’t provide sufficient security to protect your bike.
- If stored in a storage locker, secure your bike to an immovable object.
- Take photos of your bike and any distinguishing features, to include the serial number and keep them on file.
- Work with your Homeowner’s Association or property management to improve security for your bike storage area by adding locked cages and cameras.
- If you are a victim of bicycle theft, file a police report.
- If you notice suspicious behavior, call the police immediately.
- Register your bike for FREE with the Arlington County Police Department. Visit www.police.arlingtonva.us and go to Online Services and click on Register Your Bike. Within approximately seven days you will receive an ACPD decal which, when visible, may be a deterrent to theft.
We strongly encourage residents to register the serial number of their bicycles for free as this is used for identification purposes if stolen and increases the chances it will be returned. If you cannot read your serial number and wish to register your bike, the Arlington County Police Department Crime Prevention Unit will assist you with engraving a number on the frame. Call 703-228-4057 to make arrangements.
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