Public Safety takes incorrectly locked bikes and holds them for students to reclaim
Like many students, junior Brooke Teegarden locks her bike outside of Franz Hall. But Public Safety has been taking bikes locked in hazardous locations or not locked at all. Though students think their bike has been stolen, Public Safety holds the bike for the student to pick up. (Jackie Jeffers | THE BEACON)
By Philip Ellefson, Staff Writer ellefson15up.edu
Bike owners on campus need to watch out for people stealing their bikes. But sometimes, the person taking the bike may be wearing a law enforcement uniform instead of a ski mask.
Students who have had their bikes stolen are frustrated to have lost their property, but those who find that Public Safety took their bikes are upset as well. Public Safety said officers have been taking unlocked and improperly locked bikes around campus and locking them up next to the Public Safety office to prevent theft and safety issues.
"Since it's not locked and it's something we can just walk away with, then we will, and we'll lock it up here," Director of Public Safety Gerry Gregg said.
According to Gregg, Public Safety officers first check to see if the bike is registered. If it is, they call the student to notify them. If not, they take the bike and lock it up.
Junior Kristin Wishon has had her bike taken by Public Safety three times. While she found it frustrating that an officer took her bike, she acknowledged that it was not the worst-case scenario.
"I guess it's better to have it stolen by P-Safe than actually stolen," Wishon said.
Wishon said that when she went to P-Safe to report her missing bike, they returned it but made her register the bike. But she has used three different bikes this semester, so she has had to register all three after they were taken to Public Safety.
Wishon said this is a problem for her because there is little room for students to lock bikes. She lives in Tyson, where there is only one bike rack for the entire building.
"More bike racks is the solution," Wishon said. "That's the only time I don't lock my bike - when there's no room."
Gregg agreed that additional bike racks are needed, and he said Public Safety is working with Physical Plant to get more bike racks on campus.
Gregg also said that if all bike racks are full, students may lock their bikes to other structures.
"If you can get it locked to one of the bike racks, that's best," Gregg said. "If you have to lock it to a railing, try not to block anything."
He noted, however, that locking bikes to railings and other structures can be a safety issue, and that bikes may have to be removed.
"There may be times when we have to cut a lock, when someone blocks an entrance and it's a safety issue," Gregg said.
Gregg said that Public Safety's goal in taking bikes is to promote safety and prevent theft.
"If that means we have to inconvenience them by making them come over and get the bike, it's worth it," Gregg said.
