Willy Week article: Steal This Bike

[Dianyla]

I picked up today's Willamette Week newspaper and they had a very interesting cover story about bike theft in Portland. Basically they did an stunt operation to steal their own bike 7 times at different spots in the city. Each time this was done in full public view with all sorts of bystanders and witnesses while the crew was filming undercover. Not a single bystander contacted police/security and few even attempted to intervene at all.

Steal This Bike

[pooks]

I saw this (or something like it) on televison a few weeks ago. They showed the guy doing it, and the only bystander who actually spoke up to say anything -- helped him steal the bike.

My reaction to all of it was that the guy "stealing" the bike always looked purposeful, efficient, and like he had nothing to hide. He just walked up in plain sight of people and started doing whatever it takes to cut the chain, saw the chain, etc. He acted like he was doing something normal.

I wondered what would have happened if he'd looked sneaky, like he was afraid he'd get caught.

[mimitabby]

Considering that was NYC, I think he could have done all he'd done in the nude and it would not have mattered.

[Cassandra_Cain]

I feel compelled to say something here though...

How many people, these days, report crime period? I remember one time a friend borrowed a slim jim (since I had left my keys in my car) from a car dealership. He proceeded to fumble around for about 10 minutes before opening it. At least a dozen people walked by - nobody even looked or flinched.

I don't think this attitude is right of course, I mean of people being indifferent, but I feel it goes beyond bike theft.

[pooks]

I've been locked out of my car three times and people have broken in for me (usually with a slimjim, once with a coathanger). Nobody ever looked twice, as you say.

But that's the reason why I wouldn't pay any attention if I saw somebody using a slimjim to get into a car -- because it's not all that unusual for somebody to need to use one to get into their own car. I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt.

I might -- MIGHT -- laugh about it and say, "Locked out of your car?"

I think crooks who act like they belong where they are, doing what they're doing, can get away with a lot just because of their body language and attitude. I mean, do we really expect a crook to steal a car, and take ten minutes to do it, in front of witnesses?

[chickwhorips]

its sad that its so easy to steal a bike and no one reports it (or any other crime), but on the upside congrats portland for being one of the Top 5 cycling cities!

sidenote: glad i live in a place where people leave their keys in their car, doors unlocked and your neigbor calls you if something looks fishy at your house.