Bend Police Launch Effort To Curb Bike Thefts

By Amanda Peacher (OPB)
July 1, 2016 9:45 p.m.

Courtesy Bend Police Department

The Bend Police Department has started an aggressive effort to reduce bicycle theft.

Bend police report that there was a 49 percent increase in bike theft in 2015. Many stolen bikes were snatched from the owner's yards or unlocked garages.

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"It's important to minimize that not just for the bikes that are worth $10,000 but also for the bikes worth $150, $200," said Lt. Clint Burleigh, pointing out the economic impact of bike theft ripples throughout the community.

"It's over $400,000, and that's a lot of money," said Burleigh.

To combat the increase in bike theft, Bend police initiated a campaign to identify serial bike thieves. They're also conducting bike sting operations to catch would-be thieves in the act.  

And police are partnering with local cycling shops to help educate bike owners about the need for sturdy locks.

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