Cracking down on bike rumors

BYU police have appeared more conspicuously around bike racks during the first two weeks of the semester. Rumors have circulated that these officers are guarding the bike racks to prevent bike thefts.

Both last week’s “Police Beat” and the “Best of 2012” articles featured a couple of bike theft issues. In last week’s “Police Beat,” a $500 bike was reported stolen at Budge Hall in Helaman Halls.

BYU police officer over Investigative Division, Lieutenant Rhoades, said, “There are bike theft problems in Orem and Provo going on and off all summer.”

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When asked why the police were guarding bike racks, Lt. Rhoades said, “For the first two weeks officers are there for bicycle reinforcement. We like to help students and educate them.”

Regarding the bicycle rumor, Officer George Besendorfer said there are “not enough officers to guard racks, but we do keep an eye on them.”

For the first two weeks of the semester, officers are seen around campus reinforcing bicycle rules and reminding students to register their bikes. Bikes can be registered for one dollar and do not need to be renewed yearly. The bicycle registration form includes details about the bike’s frame type, frame size, wheel size, handle bar type, hub, brakes, color and accessories. The form also asks for the owner’s permanent address and the serial number of the bike.

“Without a serial number, it’s hard to track down the bike,” Lt. Rhoades said.

Katie Tonn, sophomore environmental science major from Chillicothe, Ohio, said, “If you don’t get it registered, there’s no way of saying it’s yours; it’s just lost.”

BYU police are seen enforcing the “no riding between classes” rule, and “no riding” signs are dotted throughout campus.

“They just gave me a warning,” said John Ternieden, senior public relations major from Toronto, Canada. “The first few weeks they are being lenient. I appreciate that, and I think it’s fair.”

BYU Police is keeping campus safe, but there are not enough officers to guard the bike racks around the clock, so it’s important for students to buy locks and register their bikes as extra precautions.

Bikes can be registered at the BYU Parking Services Office, located in 2120 Jesse Knight Building or with the Provo City Police Department.