A photo taken of a "chop shop" in Prince Albert. (Submitted)

By Nigel Maxwell

Bicycle theft

Prince Albert police roll out new anti-bike theft strategy

May 22, 2021 | 1:00 PM

A new initiative to help put the brakes on bicycle theft in Prince Albert is being explored by the city’s police service.

The plan involves the creation of a new website; the launch of an awareness program to address questions related to prevention and provide tips for reporting bicycle theft.

The recommendation was discussed during Thursday’s Board of Police Commissioners meeting. Board member and Ward 1 Councillor Charlene Miller has been vocal in the past about the city’s issues with bicycle theft and told paNOW the proposal represents a good start.

“I do know there’s a few residents who are very upset when they see their neighbours disassembling bikes and nothing is getting done about it,” she said.

The most recent statistics provided by police, there have been 26 bicycle thefts in 2021 – only four had serial numbers entered into the property subsystem. A total of 11 incidents resulted from break-and-enters where one or more bikes were stolen.

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“A few people have contacted me about stolen bikes and it’s their child’s bike and they can’t afford to go to the store again and buy a new bike,” Miller said.

According to a report prepared for the board, the city’s current bicycle bylaw, which includes enforcement opportunities such as seizure, and also lists the required equipment, falls in line with what other municipalities are doing. The report explains as a whole bicycle licensing programs have failed across the country and the United States because they have been considered punitive, unlikely to be enforced, expensive to administer, or even unnecessary.

From Thursday’s meeting, the board approved the recommendation that the Prince Albert Police Service collaborates with the City of Prince Albert to establish a web page and media awareness program.

The board also forwarded the report to City Council to consider an amendment to the current Bicycle Bylaw, and require a bicycle serial number to be visible and not altered, or the bicycle is subject to seizure and impoundment by Prince Albert Police Service.

Police Administration was also advised to ensure the Prince Albert Police Service members are made aware of The Bicycle Bylaw provisions and track/monitor use.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell