Bicycle thefts are a common occurrence at Sacramento State’s campus, with more than 43 reported thefts for the fall 2011 semester, according to the campus police media log.

Many students and Sacramento residents who leave their bikes on campus are unaware of the number of bike thefts that repeatedly happen.

“I hear it happens, but I don’t know much about it,” said senior psychology major Jeremy Sawtelle.

When it comes to preventing bicycle thefts, students should know what precautions need to be taken.

“I usually keep it in a crowded area where all of the bikes are and lock it up,” said senior health science major Natalie Vachalek.

University Police Crime Prevention Tips encourage riders to license their bicycles with the University Police Department so the serial number and description is readily available if the bicycle is stolen.

Those who decide not to register their bicycles, face the risk of having it stolen at any given moment. 

“My friend’s bicycle had a flat tire, so he left it on campus over night and the next day the bike was gone,” said junior mechanical engineering major Marcelino Samaguey.

To try to prevent these thefts, the campus provides a bike compound that is staffed during the fall and spring semesters Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Friday until 5:00 p.m.

During the day, staff watch over the bikes, count them and watch for suspicious people in the area. They will even leave green slips on bikes to let students know if it is not secured or locked properly.

Sac State also provides security around campus to watch for crimes, including bike theft.

“I don’t know how much security they’re obligated to provide,” said senior marketing major Rob Orton. “If you’re going to bring it on campus, it’s on you (to protect it).”

Although the school provides security throughout the week, local residents and some students leave their bikes on campus unattended on the weekends.

“I’m not a student, so I only ride my bike there on the weekends,” said Sacramento resident Amanda Marweg. “I take a bike lock so I lock it up every time before I go and I don’t know anybody who has gotten their bike stolen from there, so I’m not really worried about leaving it.”

Alyssa Sanguinetti can be reached at [email protected].