Terrace RCMP are encouraging anyone who had their bike stolen or lost over the summer to contact the detachment.
In a press release, Cst. Crystal Evelyn says they have dozens of found and retrieved bikes currently in their possession, which will be held onto for only 90 days.
If the bike owner doesn’t come forward, the bike will be either destroyed, donated to community programs or returned to the finder. Owners of the bikes must provide proof it’s theirs.
To help return bikes to their rightful owners, Cst. Evelyn writes that the public should register their bikes with 529 Garage, a free bike theft-prevention program. Terrace RCMP will keep their doors open, from Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to help people with registration.
529 Garage allows bike owners to create an online profile featuring pictures of their bikes, its serial number and any customized component. They are also given a Shield ID to place on their bike frame, which is a tamper-proof sticker with a seven-digit code. Signs of tampering or attempts to remove it indicate to police the bike may be stolen.
Cst. Evelyn adds they still have locks available for people who visit the detachment to register their bikes. During the summer, Terrace RCMP was offering a bike lock to the first 25 registered bike owners but have not reached that number yet.
Terrace RCMP has also provided bike theft prevention tips, listed below.
• Record serial numbers (regardless of the value of the bike) so that they can be added to police computer records, helping bikes be identified if located.
• Most bike stores keep serial numbers and information of your purchased bike. Check with your local bike shop to obtain that information if your bike does get stolen.
• Photograph your bike, as a reference, to assist police in identification.
• Never leave your bike unlocked in public.
• Never lock your bike by the front wheel only.
• If storing your bike at home, store it in a safe place using a lock or on your property inside a locked area.
• If you are leaving your bikes unattended in the back of a vehicle, lock the bikes to your vehicle. Choose appropriate places to park.
If you have information about crime, contact the Terrace RCMP at (250) 638-7400 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1-800-222-TIPS, online at www.terracecrimestoppers.ca.
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