Editor:
I am writing to seek a united effort to eradicate or reduce bike thefts in the community of Tsawwassen.
I am a victim of one of these thefts which occurred about a month ago outside one local food store, and just this evening, I very nearly became a victim of a second theft outside a second local food store.
I am just one of many victims of a recent blizzard of bike thefts which have been occurring outside our two local food stores, despite the employment of bike locks.
Many bicycles today sell for $500 to $3,000 or even more, and accessories can easily add a few more hundred dollars to the cost. Clearly, by no means are we dealing with petty thefts.
In addition, such thefts do nothing for the reputation of our local shopping community, who benefit from cyclists, both local and from elsewhere (think about the many cycling groups attracted to cycling in our community).
In the case of the thefts taking place from bike racks located outside the two local food stores, thieves have, with lightning speed, broken bike locks and spirited bikes away under our noses, so to speak.
I am informed that one food store has a video camera located outside the store, but it is not aimed in the direction of the bike rack located next to the store. I am informed that the second food store does not have any video camera in the area of the bike rack next to it. Thieves are aware of these areas of vulnerability.
I have no intention of bringing legal action regarding my own bike theft. Neither am I attempting to apportion blame to any business or property owner. My purpose is simply to ask that all parties work collaboratively towards making the parking of bicycles a safer experience for customers, residents and visitors alike in Tsawwassen.
At the same time, I am not personally aware of bike thefts taking place at other business or residential locations in Tsawwassen, but if any local store or property owner does have knowledge of such thefts, I am asking such business or property owner to join in to the effort I am seeking.
At the very least, I suggest that mall owners and food stores post signs next to the bike racks located adjacent to their stores warning that a number of bike thefts have occurred at the locations. And I ask that the Delta Police Department and our two fine local newspapers bring to the public's attention the risks of parking bikes at our local shopping venues, even with the most secure of bike locks.
In addition, I suggest that food stores and mall owners install quality video cameras aimed in the direction of the bike racks and offer to make copies of any pertinent recordings to victims for insurance purposes and to Delta Police for law enforcement purposes.
Lastly, I suggest the police department and/ or our local community police either monitor the sites or alternately mount operations in a concerted effort to locate the person or persons responsible. In this connection, I believe that most of the thefts have taken place in the evening, when the number of shoppers is thinner.
Morris Mass
