Police warn community of hike in bike thefts in Carroll Gardens

CARROLL GARDENS — Though bike thefts have plagued Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill for years, it has been an increasing problem in recent months, police said.

Capt. Jeffrey Schiff, the commanding officer of the 76th Precinct, notified residents of the hike in bike thefts at the precinct's community council meeting on Tuesday, and advised riders to keep their bikes locked when left unattended.

Police reported nine bike thefts within the past 60 days, compared to only three in March and February. Most of the thefts occurred in apartment hallways where bikes were stored without locks, said a police source.

Other times, thieves use tools to cut locks and swipe bikes from sidewalks, said the source.

Police from the 76th Precinct offered residents tips on how to keep their bikes safe. First, police advise bike owners to store their bikes away from plain sight by keeping them from the first floor where thieves can see them through the entrance door.

The 76th Precinct also offers bike registration, which tags bikes with an identifiable serial number. That way, police can identify the bike as stolen, and if found, return the bike to its owner.

Police will be offering bike registration free of charge at the upcoming Smith Street Fair, which is scheduled to take place on June 24. The fair will run on Smith Street, between Union and Bergen streets, from noon to 6 p.m. To have a bike registered, look for the NYPD’s big blue tent.

According to Joann Nicolosi, a bike shop owner in Carroll Gardens, the neighborhood has been dealing with bike thefts for years.

"If they’re not stealing bikes, it’s parts," said Nicolosi, owner of Bike Shop, located at 514 Court St. "I’ve had bikes stolen out of my own store."

Nicolosi advises bike riders to use two locks when parking a bike outside. Use a thick, quality chain, she said, like the Fahgettaboudit Chain lock.

"A bike lock is very heavy, and some people are too lazy to carry it around," said Nicolosi. "People don’t want to deal with the extra weight of it."