Bicycle Thefts on Roosevelt Island - Easy To Do and Difficult To Stop - Even With A Beautiful Roosevelt Island Rainbow
According to the Roosevelt Island Public Safety report for Friday, August 22, two bicycles were stolen from their owners. One from in front of the Trellis Diner and the other by the Tramway Courtyard.
Here is how easy it is to steal a bicycle during the day in plain sight of many people, including the police, using a variety of tools.
You Tube video demonstrating how easy it is to steal a bicycle
How to make bike thefts more difficult. An interesting idea from gizmodo via treehugger. Bike trees with fingerprint identification keep bikes off the ground away from potential robbers.
And another idea for preventing bike thefts - the "Bike Cuff":... designed to be used with another lock. Like "The Club" for cars, the Bike Cuff is a theft deterrent. It takes care of securing the front wheel and the frame, and in the process immobilizes steering at a 40 45 degree angle. The tight adjustable fit was inspired by handcuffs. This reduces space for insertion of pry tools and cable cutters.Here's the rest of the Roosevelt Island Public Safety reports for August 18 -25 including the investigation of a professional photographer taking pictures without a permit (8/19) and criminal impersonation regarding apartment application ( 8/18).
8/18/08-7:00 AM to 8/19/08-7:00 AM
Custody/Visitation- Mother did not bring child for visit with father. he will go to Family Court.
Hazardous Condition- A broken Fire Hydrant. Caution tape put around it. DEP notified.
Unsecured Vehicle- Unable to contact the owner. PSD checked periodically.
Unsecured apt- Keys left on door. PSD knocked on door no answer. The apt door was locked and keys secured in PSD.
Criminal Impersonation/Petit larceny-regarding an apt. 2 Check given to subject and application with personal information. PSD checked with actual Rental Company Personnel who confirmed subjects not with rental co. Victim referred to NYPD.
Hazardous Condition- Shopping cart blocking the stairway. UA porter notified and removed it.
Family Dispute- Between sisters. scratches sustained. One taken to the Hospital for Psychological evaluation. NYPD unable to respond due to back log of jobs. The other refused EMS.
Loitering- F/O building. PSD to monitor area.
Burglary- Access gained to building through an open window. Items thrown about. NYPD refused and locks changed.
Unsecured Premises- Rear door open. The lock was broken. Search for subject yielded negative results. Officer monitored the building.
8/19/08-7:00 AM to 8/20-08-7:00AM
Criminal Mischief- Unknown Subject kicked in building door. Lock was damaged. Search for the subject yielded negative results. RIOC repaired the lock.
Investigation- Professional Photographer taking photos without a RIOC permit. He was referred to RIOC.
Possible Aided- Person complained of back pain but refused EMS. He was escorted home.
Unsecured Premises- Basement door left open. Search made and it was in order. the door was secured.
Found Property- A driver's license was secured in PSD.
8/20/08-7:00 Am to 8/21/08-7:00AM
Fire Alarm- In Eastwood. Cigarette thrown in Avac Chute. UA Corrected condition. No property damage . No injuries.
Criminal Mischief- hole in the wall. Search conducted for the subject with negative results. UA notified.
Aided- Worker of South town accidently caused a rock to stricke a female. No visible injuries and EMS refused. Worker was using a weed waker.
Grand Larceny- (Off Island)- RI resident reported on the subway between 50th and 57th street unknown subject opened zipper on back Pack and took wallet. She will notify NYPD on her own,
Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.
Graffiti- On the 7th floor in the hallway. search for the subject yielded negative results. UA notified.
Alcohol/Open Container- 2 subjects arrested by PSD.
Unlawful Possession of MARIJUANA- Subject arrested by PSD.
Smoke Condition- small paper burning in the hallway. It was extinguished by PSD. UA notified.
Search for the subject yielded negative results.
Alcohol/Open Container- 2 subjects arrested by PSD.
0700 hrs. Thursday August 21 St. 2008 tru 0700 hrs. Friday August 22nd. 2008.
Arrest - Male and Female Subjects summonsed for open container.
Smoke Condition - PSD Responded to 560 7th floor for a small paper fire. Fire extinguished.
Investigation - Father of a 2 year son reported to PSD that a male subject called him harassing him about his son.
Investigation - Camp counselor at PS 217 reported a 6 yr. old child not feeling well. Youth officer notified mother of child and picked up child. EMS refused.
Court Order/Escort - PSD Escorted male subject to apartment to retrieve some belongings.
Aided - Female tenant stated to PSD officer of having chest pains. EMS Refused by tenant.
Found Property - PSD Observed a set of keys on the sidewalk. Secured keys at PSD Office.
Arrest - Three male subjects summonsed. Two for illegal possession of marihuana one for loitering in public.
0700 hrs. Friday August 22nd 2008 tru 0700 hrs. Saturday August 23rd 2008
Unsecured vehicle - PSD Observed vehicle with windows left opened. Motorgate Office notified.
Unattended Bicycle - RIOC employ left bicycle at Tram courtyard when he returned the bicycle was no longer there. PSD made search with negative results.
Unsecured Vehicle - PSD observed vehicle with windows left opened. Motorgate Office notified.
Graffiti - PSD Officer observed inside stairwell walls and ceiling. Super notified. Search for subjects made with negative results.
Hazardous Condition - NYPD notified PSD of manhole cover that fell into drain hole. RIOC notified condition corrected.
Criminal Possession of marihuana - NYPD Officer reported male subject under arrest. PSD Transported to 114th Pct.
Trespass / Open container - PSD Officer responded for roof alarm. Upon arrival observed Male and Female subjects at location. PSD Issued summonses for Violation.
Escort - PSD Escorted female subject to apartment to retrieve personal property.
Disable Vehicle - PSD assisted in moving vehicle out of street to the side out of the way of traffic. Owner notified tow truck.
Missing Property - Female walked into PSD to report while sitting inside Trellis left bike unsecured outside. Search made with negative results.
Found Property - Female walked into PSD to reported items found inside lobby of 546 Main St.
Did you see the rainbow in the AM New York picture of subway bike racks? Very nice!
8/23/08-7:00 AM to 8/24/08-7:00 AM
Unlawful Possession of Marijuana- 2 Subjects arrested by PSD.
Harassment-Complainant stated subject locked her out. PSD responded. Maid opened the door . Subject had left.
Investigation- Suspicious Females found at the Senior Center by the computers. When approached by Senior Member they left. Computers where unplugged but nothing missing.
Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.
Found Property- A wallet was secured in PSD.
Alcohol/Open Container- 3 Subjects arrested by PSD.
Investigation- Alarm in apt was set off. PSD and Super Mann Park responded. Tenant inside was fine and accidently set alarm off.
Unsecured Vehicle- In the Garage. The windows were open and radio was on. Vehicle was illegally parked and issued a summons.
Verbal Dispute- Between passenger of cab and the driver. PSD and NYPD responded and passenger made payment of fare.
8/24/08-7:00 AM to 8/25/08-7:00 AM
Criminal Mischief- Lock on apt door slightly bent. NYPD refused. Search for the subject made with negative results. UA to be notified by the tenant to change the lock.
Aided- 2 persons accidently stuck in the locked boiler room. Maintenance responded and persons refused EMS.
Found Property- Envelope with a check. It was secured in PSD.
Missing- A youth of a group home. Search yielded negative results. NYPD responded.
Did you see the rainbow in the AM New York picture of subway bike racks? Very nice!
3 comments :
I am an avid bike rider and while ideally I never leave my bikes outside I sometimes have to. I make it a point to never leave it for more than half an hour. If someone see's a bike sitting in the same place for long amounts of time, it's asking to be stolen. Also, make sure to lock the front wheel to the frame and something sturdy (ie Bike Rack). It's also never a bad idea to lock your back wheel as well. There are many different products out there. Kryponite is what most people use and it is a good deterent. But in the end, it's easier to just bring the bike inside with you.
You know what I do not understand in this city? NYC is such a bike-unfriendly place in the first place and you still have to always fear that somebody will steal your bike. Is there a way to register your bicycle with the police? I come from a European country where all bicycles have a serial number (similar to the VIN here) and if your bike is stolen (which doesn't happen that often) it is harder to resell them.
I'm not sure about actually registering your bicycle, but you can etch in your name or some numbers of significance which might make it harder for a theif to sell. Always keep receipts for your bike as well.
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