The Boston University Police Department received 26 reports of bicycle and scooter thefts in September, according to a BUPD crime alert sent out on Sept. 25.
BU students reported instances of theft both on campus and at residences in Allston.
Approximately 20 of the reported thefts were from bike racks. Approximately 18 of the thefts were bikes secured with chain or cable locks, while five were reported to have been locked with U-locks, according to BUPD Chief Rob Lowe.
In response to the thefts, BUPD is offering tips on how to keep property safe and secure on campus.
“We utilize several proactive strategies to reduce crime and keep our community safe,” Lowe said. “Our teams provide several safety presentations at orientations at all of our campuses [which] include how to best protect yourself from thefts.”
Each reported theft is assigned to a detective who initiates an investigation. The detective contacts the reporting party, begins gathering evidence and works to recover the stolen property while identifying potential suspects, according to Lowe.
“We will continue to ask our community that if you see something suspicious, to say something, please report it to us,” Lowe said. “If you are unfortunately a victim of a crime, please report that to us as soon as possible, so we can begin our investigation.”
Senior Dolan Grisbaum said someone broke into his off-campus house and stole three scooters from the living room.
“[The scooters] were clearly visible from the outside. If you look through the window, you could probably see them,” Grisbaum said. “So that probably enticed the robbers to come in. They didn’t steal anything else, besides the scooters. They even left my lock there.”
Sophomore Isabella Ramos had her scooter stolen from an Allston residence before she even had the chance to use it.
“It happens so often that [the police] really can’t do anything about it,” Ramos said. “So I didn’t get any money back or anything. We reported it, they knew about it and that was pretty much it.”
Senior Justin Liao had three scooters stolen, one on campus and two from his Allston residence.
“I rode [my scooter] to class with a wired bike lock, and I parked outside Questrom,” Liao said. “And then in class, I ordered a U-lock, but then as soon as I came out, [the scooter] was gone.”
Lowe said students and staff who have bicycles and scooters on campus should take extra precautions by investing in good bike locks, such as a U-lock instead of a cable or chain lock, to secure their bikes and scooters.
“The majority of the bike and scooter thefts that were stolen in September were stolen from multiple locations on Commonwealth Avenue from bike racks secured with cable and chain locks,” Lowe said.
In an email to The Daily Free Press, BU Spokesperson Colin Riley wrote that those with bikes or scooters should register “their bikes with BU for access to bike rooms, and should securely lock their bikes in highly visible locations.”
Bermina Chery, a senior and bike rider, uses a metal U-lock and said she’s less concerned about the recent increase in thefts. Despite not knowing many people who have gotten their scooters stolen, Chery said BU should implement additional safety measures to prevent thefts and protect student bikers.
“For a lot of people, walking is not the best mode of transport to get from one place to another, so the scooters, the bikes are pretty much imperative, considering that BU is in the middle of the city,” Chery said. “I think that any safety precautions that the university can do that’ll make it a better place for the students, the faculty, anybody who is affiliated with BU [who has] these vehicles [would be useful].”
Sophomore Milena Busma also said students should receive “at least some compensation for [their] scooters being stolen,” especially athletes who face longer commutes from off-campus residences.
“It’s happening at such a high rate, and it’s probably one of the biggest crimes on campus,” Busma said. “I do wish the school did a little bit more.”
Jed Tan, a senior who had two scooters stolen, said he implemented additional protective measures in his Allston residence after the thefts, including putting an AirTag in his scooter.
“If you’re living in Allston, you have to be really careful. I thought if you have your doors locked it’ll be fine, but it’s good to have a camera outside to deter any people from robbing your place,” Tan said. “[Also] making sure your windows are locked and all your valuables are locked up … [Take] as many precautions as you can, because it is a very common occurrence.”
