I am sure that you are more than aware that the stolen bike numbers are skyrocketing since it has warmed up. Of course, they are all in garages that are closed and locked. I have not heard of or read about any that have been taken from lawns or off of porches. ;)

While I jest, I want to point out that the average person is completely unaware of the dangers of the “Devil’s Strip”. If you are a regular reader, you have heard it mentioned more than twice. It is the piece of land we do not own between the sidewalk and the street that is a utility easement that we are required to maintain. One reason we place trash there is because it is not our property, so it can be argued that anything left there can legally be taken.

Picture it. Little Johnny is having the time of his life on his bike riding down the streets of PC with his friends. They decide to rush in and grab a snack. They ditch their rides on the Devil’s Strip. The bikes are now legally free to be taken by anyone. Your kid and his friend essentially put their bikes in the trash - NOT ON YOUR LAWN. Life ain’t fair.

There is a BIG trend with bike thefts. They are not taken by sophisticated criminals. They are generally taken by other kids. If you live close to a school, park, and/or pool, I can almost guarantee we could leave a bait bike in your yard and catch some budding criminals. Lol! That would get us arrested, so let’s use some common sense to keep what is ours. Here are some tips:

1. Put your driver’s license number on your children’s bikes, so if they are taken, when they are recovered LEPD can bring them back. You can read more about the program here.

2. Low jack your kid’s bike. There is a GENIUS guy that has been going around after my comments on social media, telling people to attach tracking devices to the bikes in concealed locations. A pro would think to look for it, but not a kid. Tiles are relatively inexpensive now and you can even buy stickers! You could cover it up with another sticker to conceal it further. You can buy them in all different shapes, colors, types, and sizes. They are inexpensive and I recommend waterproof. The kids like to layer and trade them.

   I love it when people improve on a good idea and make it better. I wouldn't have thought to "low-jack" a kid's bike. We have tiles in our bags, purses, luggage, etc. - things you would typically think that someone could easily pick up and walk away with. Why not a bike? I would place them on other high value toys as well. You may even want one on your trash bin!!!

3. I take, lock, and hide. It is tried, true, and tested. It works. We secured everything where I lived and two (not one) DPD Sergeants lived across the street from my childhood home in a fabulous area where there was virtually zero petty crime. Their wives always snitched on me. Lol! I was a really good kid whose halo was held up by her horns, so I haven’t changed much. I couldn’t ever have friends over without people home, but I digress (that is the power of a crime watch and knowing neighbors). The other moms watched out for me while mine worked.

   When if I was at their home visiting their kids or husbands (101 crime questions), then everything went in the garage where it was safely away from prying eyes, with the doors locked. One of those kids runs an FBI field office now.

Now, I have a fun game for you. We know that bikes are most likely to be taken and dumped near a park, school, and/or playground. We also know that the police have a “fun” task of identifying their owners’ if they are ever going to make their way back home again. Sadly, most never make it. Can you tell a secured location from a dumping ground? No peaking at the answers!