Campus Crime

From OSU Wiki

Crime Alerts

Oregon State University has a great link that explains all the crimes that are going on around campus. To keep up with the news go to Crime Alerts, which is part of the Oregon State University website.

Bike Theft Prevention

1) Buy a U-LOCK. An overwhelming majority of stolen bikes were locked using a cable or chain. The cheapest U-lock is even better than the best possible chain you can get (hacksaws and cable cutters). Home Depot carries a line of entry-level U-locks for $14. You can get U-locks from on-line retailers for around $9. Higher quality locks available at you local bike shops, sell for around $26-80. A Fact to remember is a bike being unlocked is a bigger factor in whether it gets stolen than if the bike is and expensive bike.

2) U-locks. A thief will remove the wheel and walk away with your expensive bike frame if you lock it around the wheel. For the best protection, put the lock through BOTH the frame and the front wheel.

3) Remove brand names. Paint over these or scratch them off. Simply adding stickers won't fool a crook into thinking your bike is low quality or older Adding stickers will make it easier to identify if your bike is stolen

4) Careful about the ends of bike racks. Bike parking racks are constructed with nuts and bolts on the ends unless it is a solidly constructed welded frame. If you park your bike on the end of one of the racks, a bike thief could disassemble the end of the bike rack, and slide your bike right off. You should also check to make sure that the part of the rack you're locking to is not broken at the top or bottom.

5) Don't park on traffic signs overnight. A determined thief will take the whole sign off the top of the pole, thus allowing him/her to then slide your bike over the pole.

6) Don't park your bike overnight in public place. (Dorms are a different story)

7) Cheep/POS. If your bike is an expensive bike, you should consider getting a second, less expensive "POS bike" for the times you have to leave it out. Doing this will make it less likely to be taken;

8) REMEMBER The smallest target will always be a well-locked less flashy bike.

Recovering Your Stolen Bike

1) File a police report. If your bike didn't have an ID # on it, it's unlikely that they're going to find your bike ever again.

2) U-lock Guarantee. If you're going to try a collection on a U-lock maker's guarantee, they will require that you filed a police report. Also,.

3) On Campus. Call the campus police and file a report. Campus police will have a better chance than the local police.

4) Police warehouse. You may be able to look through the warehouse of confiscated bikes to see if yours is in the pile.

5) Pawn shops. Give them the registration # and a photo of the bike.

6) Bike Shops. Notify all local bike shops who buy used bikes around Corvallis the same way you did for pawn shops.

7) Register. Report the theft to the Stolen Bicycle Registrys web site. This database of stolen bikes is ran and maintained by an individuals and has no affiliation with law enforcement.

8) Used bike. If your buying a used bike, check the bottom bracketof it to see if that bike is registered. If you suspect the bike may be stolen, notify the Corvallis police.