Security reminders urged with spike in scooter thefts

Santa Barbara scooter, moped and motorcycle thefts are up in the last five weeks and owners are urged to take strong security efforts.

Steering locks, cables and other methods to deter a thief have been suggested by law enforcement officers.

Since September 1, police crime statistics show there have been 32 vehicle thefts with about half (14) of them motor bikes. 6 have been recovered.

Some of the bikes were moved but not taken far from where they were parked.

The California Highway Patrol has not seen the same issue in their coverage area. No data has been released by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s department so fa.

A Santa Barbara City College student Carin Berggren said she locks her steering and her helmet when she goes to class. At home her Vespa scooter is in a patio and she feels it is in a safe location.

“I’ve heard helmets have been stolen here but I have never heard a scooter,” said Berggren.

She is concerned if she doesn’t taken the scooter home for some reason “or leave it overnight somewhere,” she said.

In a downtown parking garage, David Hamilton got off his motorcycle and said, “For me If I think the neighborhood is sketchy I put a cable lock around the helmet I will even cable lock the bike.”

It’s different for his friend.

“He double locks around a parking pole and then he covers it. A cover makes a big difference,” said Hamilton.

Two years ago there was also a big spike in motorcycle, scooter and moped thefts. Back then some suspects were caught and arrested or the vehicles were found with tampered wiring.