Salem Police Launch Bicycle Theft Prevention Program

In Salem, 56 bicycles have been reported stolen since January 1st of this year.

Photo: Tim King

(SALEM) - Bicycles are one of the most common items stolen in Salem.

In fact, 56 bicycles have been reported stolen since January 1st of this year.

It is estimated that dozens more have been stolen but not reported because owners do not keep a record of that ever important serial number.

The Salem Police Department Crime Prevention Unit has developed a program to help owners keep track of their bikes and make it easier to recover those that are stolen.

Anyone interested in participating in the Bicycle Registration Program simply needs to complete a form that provides the police department with the bicycle and the owner’s information so that it can be entered into our law enforcement database.

Upon return of the completed form, along with the $2 registration fee, registrants will receive a durable, etched sticker marked with a tracking number exclusive to them.

The tag can be easily applied to the bicycle frame and identifies the bicycle as being registered with the Salem Police Department.

Should the bike ever be reported as stolen, your registration makes it possible for officers to identify the owner if the bike is located or being ridden by someone other than the owner.

With over 700 bicycles stolen in Salem since 2004 and very few of them recovered by the owner, the Crime Prevention Unit has implemented this program to increase the odds of returning a stolen bike and arresting the thief.

For more information about the program, contact the Crime Prevention Unit at (503) 588-6175.