The Chainlink

Tonight 10/26/11 at the Damen Brownline stop.

The Securitas guard grabbed me as i was unlocking at about 1140 pm. He let me know that an older guy was circling and eyeing my bike. The kid had the best intentions and didn't know if the guy had just put the bike up on the wall or not so he just watched it.

 

Heads up for stolen bike activity. I let the kid know about the stolen bikes crew and gave him knowledge on prevention. Next time he'll call the cops cause he knows this bike is mine (it's my back up sadly but i'll let him know my everyday as well).

 

Just thought I'd share.

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Permalink Reply by dan brown on October 27, 2011 at 8:45am

thanks for the heads up gabe. this really sucks that thieves are targeting the El stations (was it locked within camera / securitas range?), or closer to the street ? 

 

we all need to be vigilant all the time

 

 

DB

Permalink Reply by Anne B. on October 27, 2011 at 10:13am

Was your bike locked up on those inside racks or just outside?(oh- I think you mean inside) Wheels, pedals and a bunch of stuff stolen off of bikes locked 1 block north of this on Damen a few weeks back (happened overnight).

Permalink Reply by Vilda on October 27, 2011 at 6:38pm
my bike was locked inside. just a - through the frame. i have locking skewers as well.
Permalink Reply by Chucko on October 28, 2011 at 10:19am

I had a rack stolen off of my beater train bike a few months ago at the Ravenswood Metra stop, locked on the Lawrence end. Pain the ass too, because the rack bolts also held my fenders, and the whole way home that day the fenders dragged on my tires.

 

I got a new cheap rack, and this time I siliconed ball bearings into the bolts so it would be a time consuming event to take it now. Even if the rack is cheap, I still don't want to have to be buying another soon.

 

Glad Securitas seems to be actually doing their job though. I've heard stories about bikes being stolen right under their noses at other stations.

Permalink Reply by Vilda on October 28, 2011 at 7:21pm
I never hold anything against a securitas guard. They get mixed messages from there bosses vs the clients. In reality they aren't supposed to do much but call the cops. They observe and witness on behalf of the CTA. And they don't get paid much per hour vs what the CTA is paying Securitas per hour. It's a crap system. That said, yes this kid was going above and beyond and hopefully he is rewarded by moving up the ranks or onto a good security position. ;-)
Permalink Reply by Anne B. on November 12, 2011 at 9:19pm

http://chicago.everyblock.com/announcements/nov12-bike-thief-4456178/

Bike theft incident witness description from near here in Lincoln Square - frustrating that this happened so quickly / publicly. 

Permalink Reply by Vilda on November 13, 2011 at 1:09pm

It's a very silly and common reaction to see a crime happening and to physically look the other way. If this guy KNEW he was watching a bike be stolen why did he take his eyes off it? Just Dumb!

Permalink Reply by Liz on November 14, 2011 at 10:18am

I think the guy had the best intentions, it seems like he didn't realize exactly how fast a thief can get through a lock.  A lot of people are just afraid to confront a criminal in the act.  A lot of people simply freeze when put into a situation like that. You don't know exactly how dangerous this particular person is, if they're carrying a knife or would use one of their bike stealing tools to hurt you.  calling the cops, staying close by, and trying taking a picture might not make him a hero or have been the best way to handle it, but at least he didn't turn a blind eye.  

 

Dont forget Gabe, you have a lot of training and experience dealing with theft that most of the general public is never exposed to. 

Perhaps putting out a PSA campaign on the safest ways to confront crime in action would be a good CAPS program. 


Gabe said:

It's a very silly and common reaction to see a crime happening and to physically look the other way. If this guy KNEW he was watching a bike be stolen why did he take his eyes off it? Just Dumb!

Permalink Reply by Anne B. on November 15, 2011 at 11:01pm
Permalink Reply by Anne B. on November 20, 2011 at 12:49pm

FYI that U-lock/cable combo is NOT working in this area- several people have lost wheels that were cable-locked through a u-lock. Mine were taken overnight but several daytime thefts reported in this area. Very surprising given the high amount of foot traffic around here. Has there ever been targeted flyering done in a specific area to warn of increased bike theft? (I need to check against stolen bike registry to confirm that this is actually an increase and not just increased perception of regular levels of theft). I'd be happy to put up flyers but haven't really thought through whether this would be helpful and/or is needed. 

Permalink Reply by mike w. on November 20, 2011 at 1:06pm

Time for a bait bike?

Permalink Reply by Davo on November 21, 2011 at 2:30pm

Would flyering, in an area that has had recent bike thefts, about watching out for bike theves be a good deterrent? I'm thinking like a bunch of them on poles, trees, business windows... Kind of like having the security signs in front of homes that dont have them. Also maybe bystanders would pay more attention if they saw these signs.

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