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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-10-28, Page 3Bicycle theft has reached epidemic proportions Bicycle theft in Goderich has reached epidemic proportions according to Goderich Police Chief Patrick King. In his October report to the Goderich Police Commission, Chief King noted 175 bicycles had been reported stolen so far this year. This compares to 97 in 1986 and 149 in 1985. He is currently looking into ways to reduce the number of thefts. "It's an epidemic," he said. "The officers are continually finding bicycles which have been reported stolen. He noted the bicycles are usually stolen from a location and abandoned a few blocks later. - "They (the thieves) often take the 'bikes from the schools and leave them a few blocks away," he said. Chief King added bicycles are reported stolen most often from GDCI, Robertson Memorial Public School and the Square. One way to combat theft at schools is to have the childern leave their bicycles at home. "The bulk of stolen bicycles could be sav- ed 'if children could be encouraged not to take their bikes to school If parents en- couraged their children to walk to school, they would probably save their bikes," Chief King said. In discussing other methods to combat the high theft of bicycles, commissioner Dave Gower said, "The. cost of recovery far outweighs the cost of a license and bike lock or chain." Chief King concurred with his statement. . "For example, of the 175 bikes reported stolen, 80 to 85 per cent will be recovered. However the cost of reporting and recover- ing stolen bicycles is high," Chief King said. Reporting stolen bicycles costs money,. about $1,700 in fact for 175 bikes (this covers the cost of the investigating constable as well as dispatcher). If 80 per cent of the bicycles are found, that is another $1,300 worth of work for the constables and dispatchers. Thefts and recoveries costs the tax- payers about $3,000 per year, Chief King said. Currently, bicycle owners in Goderich are required to purchase a $1 bicycle license from.the' Goderich Police Department. This also helps in tracing bicycles to their owners GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1987—PAGE 3 INVESTMENTS, BEST RATES, FINANCIAL CENTRE Code rieh; 519-524-2773 1.500-255-5503 X18% ear G.I.C. All DetpositQ INSURED Within Limit Goderich Police Chief Patrick King counts bicycles recovered by the local police depart- ment. Although most of these bicycles were reported stolen, the police cannot return them to their owners since many lack identifying licenses. (photo by Lou -Ann DeBruyn) should the police find a stolen bicycle. To date, there are "well over 3,000 licens- ed bicycles in town with probably another 200-300 which are not licensed," Chief King said. One way to combat bicycle thefts is to chain or lock the bicycle., • however many people do not do so. ,"You should chain or lock your bicycles. You pay $150 to $200 for a bicycle and $1 for a license, what is another $2 or $3 for a bicycle lock?" Chief King stated. Chief King suggested including the cost of a lock or chain with that of the bicycle license. This would. Mean a necessary in- crease in' the cost of the license. "We can look into increasing the cost of a bicycle license to include the price of a lock or chain as well," he said. Commissioner Bruce Erskine • Hospital to establish mammography service The Alexandra Marine and General Hospital will be offering a mammography service in the X-ray Department in the near future. • At Monday evening's October .meeting, the Board of Governors was made aware of impending renovations and equipment purchases for the service. The, X -Ray., . Inspection Branch , of the Ministry of Health approved the renova- tions to the hospital's X-ray Department necessary to house the mammography equipment. "Extensive renovations are not required to the area. We can do in-house renova- suggested. tions at a cost of about $3,OOQ," Ken Engelstad, hospital administrator, said during preliminary discussion at the September meeting. At the .October meeting, the board was made aware that renovations could indeed be completed • at a cost less than $3,000: Purchase of a $70,000 Siemens Mam- momat B wil be made 'shortly. Offering the service will generate an in- creased income of approximately $15,00 per year for the hospital. Engelstad expected the service to be operational in the new year. tt'LU12 _L_.CZ12CLlCCL2L129.Lf2LLEU. f RR 2, Lucknow ' 529-7247 SAVE 20 — 50%with our ANNUAL OCTOBERSALE Sale applies to In -stock items only SAVE 50% on Deciduous Shrubs SAVE 20% on Deciduous Trees SAVE 20% on Coniferous Trees & Shrubs SAVE 20% on Peat Moss and Red Tile Mulch Hours: Monday - Friday 8-5, Saturday 8-3 p.m. Watch for our OPEN HOUSE CHRISTMAS DISPLAY Dec. 5 & 6. 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