December 13, 2024 #1 Local News, Forum, Information and Event Source for Venice Beach, California.

The Life and Time of Bike Crime in Venice Beach

Officer TK Kim and Watch Commander Scotty Stevens of Pacific Division’s PCU.

by Melanie Camp.

While bicycle thefts are down thirty percent compared to this time last year, Pacific Division Watch Commander Scotty Stevens told Yo! Venice he’s been watching those numbers creep up over the last couple of weeks and warns, unless people take precautions, we can expect bike crimes to increase as Summer heats up.

“You’ll probably see it, maybe not at the levels it was last year, but heading that direction,” Stevens said, explaining that as more people spend time out and about on their bikes over Summer, there will most likely be an increase in the levels of stolen bikes.

Stevens attributes the decrease over the past several months to work he and the now disbanded Pacific Division Parol Compliance Unit (PCU) did to clean out homeless encampments in the Ballona Wetlands. “There’s just no place to hide them now,” said Stevens.

In February last year Yo! Venice followed Stevens into the Wetlands and witnessed encampments where piles of bicycles and bicycle parts lay all around. Invisible to passing commuters and patrol cars, the tangle of tent cities strewn throughout the Ballona Wetlands provided a myriad of hiding places for stolen bicycles.

3. Bike Thefts
Canine Kenny told Yo! Venice the bikes at his camp were left by others.

At the time, one of Steven’s Officers David Navas explained the bikes Yo! Venice could see were most likely stolen, “that’s what they do, take them apart, sell them, and that’s how they get money for their drugs.” One of the homeless campers, Canine Kenny (who has since gone to jail) had a different explanation. He said people brought the bikes to him to fix, “they think for some odd reason, ‘oh anytime I get a flat, or anytime I need a wrench’ it’s like dude, no man, you can’t just leave it here. But they don’t listen they just leave it here anyway.”

There are now fewer camps in the Wetlands and bike crimes are down, and Stevens believes the two are no doubt related. “I think it’s harder to hide them here, now, out in the open than it was when so many were in the wetlands,” he said.

It took PCU seven long months to reduce homeless encampments the Wetlands. “That was a prolonged effort, at some points we were bringing in fifty bikes at a time,” said Stevens. Some of those bicycles are still at Pacific Division station in Culver City, and due to the sheer number of stolen bikes, some had to be shipped off to Valley Traffic Division. So, it’s likely, if you had your bike stolen in Venice sometime over the past 18 months it’s out in the Valley, and you can call Pacific Division to arrange a reunion.

1. Bike Thefts
Venice local Henry Hereford plans to keep his bike close over summer.

There are steps you can take to make it easier to get your bike back if it gets stolen. Registering your bicycle is one way, however, sometimes thieves will remove a serial number when they take a bike, so Stevens had a good tip, “put a number or mark that only you know somewhere no one would think to look. Like your birthdate on the inside of the wheel or under the seat.” Anything you can do to help identify your bicycle may help you get it back faster.

Often theft is a crime of opportunity.

“We have some bikes worth four thousand dollars sitting at the station. Sometimes, they get stolen because people forget to lock them up. You wouldn’t leave a four thousand dollar piece of jewelry laying out on the sidewalk, so why would you do that with your bike,” said Stevens.

While you may think a lock is a good safeguard, Stevens warns he’s seen videos that prove inadequate locks are useless. “We’ve seen videos of some people getting their bike’s stolen and these guys are good at what they do. They walk up to a lock and snap to open in a matter of ten seconds and then your bike is gone. They’re that good at it,” said Stevens.

To prevent bike crime this summer get a good lock, register your bicycle, and if you’ve had your bike stolen from Venice anytime in the past couple of years; you may just find it is out at Valley Traffic Division waiting for you to come pick it up.

Tags: , in Opinion
Related Posts

New Program Can Help Protect Southern California Homes in the Event of an Earthquake

May 13, 2023

May 13, 2023

Residents Have Until May 31 To Apply For Seismic Retrofit Grants By Janiele Maffei, Chief Mitigation Officer for the California...

Venice Shorts: Tree Trimming Underway Thanks to the Vsa!

April 28, 2023

April 28, 2023

VSA Has Taken up the Task of Trimming Italian Stone Pine Trees. By Nick Antonicello Following the recent toppling of...

Venice Stakeholders Association’s Comments on Traci Park’s Broken Bridge Housing Promise

April 24, 2023

April 24, 2023

By Marc Ryavec I have been struggling with how to address the phenomenon that someone I and many others in...

Column: Tired OF Declinists? Some Enduring New California Positives

April 18, 2023

April 18, 2023

By Thomas D. Elias California has taken a beating lately, with (mostly Republican) governors of other states blasting many aspects...

Venice Shorts: The South Venice Blvd Encampment, Is It a Candidate for a City Cleanup?

April 14, 2023

April 14, 2023

One of the last of the large encampments closest to the beach, Venetians are hopeful help is on the way!...

Venice Shorts: Averill Defeats Tyminski 63%-37% to Become President of Venice Neighborhood Council

April 3, 2023

April 3, 2023

In second bid for top spot, surfer/photographer Brian Averill coasts to an easy win against Venice attorney and outgoing Vice-President...

Column: Install at LAX Tiny Homes From The State Grant

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2023

By Clark Brown On March 16  Governor Newsom announced in Sacramento, his first stop on his State of the State of...

Venice Shorts: Night & Day – Flower & Lincoln Transformed, Back in Business

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

By Nick Antonicello In what was a Venice eyesore just a few months ago has been transformed into a place...

Opinion: Please Vote for Daffodil Tyminski

March 25, 2023

March 25, 2023

This is Tom Williams, your neighbor at 1011 Main Street.  With the upcoming VNC election this Sunday, I wanted to reach...

Venice Shorts: Popular Local Jim Robb Seeks Vp Slot, Endorses Brian Averill for President of the VNC!

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

By Nick Antonicello  VENICE – In a twist of events longtime Community Officer Jim Robb will now be seeking the...

Venice Shorts: Tabor Family Legacy Amara Hordt Seeks Seat on VNC This Sunday!

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

Local realtor looks to follow a family legacy of engaged community involvement here in Venice By Nick Antonicello VENICE –...

Venice Shorts: Erica Moore, A Cheerleader For Venice In Her Run For Community Officer!

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

By Nick Antonicello VENICE – Local caterer Erica Moore is making a second run for the Venice Neighborhood Council, but...

Venice Shorts: Running Unopposed, Nico Ruderman’s Deep Dive Into Politics and Government Continues!

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

By Nick Antonicello VENICE – It has been an interesting two years of political action, involvement and advocacy for Nico...

Venice Shorts: “V” for Venice Volunteer

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

Media professional, local business owner and Dad, Eric Alan Donaldson is defined by his volunteerism and love of Venice. By...

Deborah Keaton, a Consensus Building Candidate for VNC Community Officer!

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

Creative director, global brander and private business owner seeks a general consensus on what’s best for Venice moving forward.  By...