Bicycle Thefts up in Falls Church City

Falls Church City Police have noticed a spike in bicycle thefts in the city over the last year.

Officer James Brooks said there were four bicycle thefts all of last year and there have already been six this year. Finding the stolen bicycles is the problem unless they’re registered with the city.

“Bicycle registration is an excellent crime prevention and recovery tool,” Brooks said.  “The police department keeps files of the serial numbers of those bikes that are registered to aid in the investigation and recovery of stolen bicycles.”

Brooks said city cyclists have two upcoming opportunities to register their bicycles with the police department. Saturday, at the city’s Prescription Drug Take-Back event at the Falls Church Volunteer-Arlington Fire Department Station 6 (6950 Little Falls Rd.), residents can register their bicycles for free between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Residents can also register their bicycles at the city’s Bike to Work Day “Pit Stop” at the intersection of Grove Road and the W & OD Trail on May 17 between 6:30 and 9 a.m.

Brooks says registered bicycles will receive a City of Falls Church seal to affix to the shaft. The registration, he said, can deter thefts since the registered bike and serial number can be listed stolen to all law enforcement agencies nationwide through the National Criminal Information Center database.

“Recovery and deterrence is also increased with the display of the City of Falls Church seal,” Brooks said. “As always, registration is only one deterrence.  Locking bicycles in secure places at all times is another deterrent to theft.”

For more on the city’s bicycle registration program or to set up an appointment to register your bicycle, call 703-248-5056.