BART Police Ramp Up Efforts To Catch Bike Thieves
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – Faced with a rash of bicycle thefts, BART police will be stepping up efforts to educate riders who two-wheel to stations and catch those who are stealing them.
Most of the thefts are occurring at suburban stations, including Walnut Creek or Pleasant Hill, with theft jumping 20 percent in those locations over the past few years, according to California Watch. Officials said that the problem has gotten really bad since the middle of last year.
BART Deputy Police Chief Ben Farrow said that the department also wants to educate bicyclists on how to safely lock their bikes. They will also step up patrols and enforcement.
KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:
"We've noticed an uptick and we're taking a close look at it," said Farrow. "We're examining the situation and seeing what we can do to harden the targets to make sure that they don't get stolen in the first place. We're also looking to capture some of the people that are stealing these bikes."
Farrow said that the department may conduct sting operations, and put the bike racks in more visible locations.
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