Crime & Safety

How to Keep Your Motorcycle Safe

The Commanding Officer of the 78th precinct, Capt. Michael Ameri, gives a couple of tips to make sure your motorcycle stays yours while using it during the nice weather.

As spring has fully bloomed, a small crime trend has started to bud in Park Slope, as it does every year around this time—a small rise in motorcycle thefts, according to the Commanding Officer of the 78th precinct, Capt. Michael Ameri. 

Ameri said that the trend happens when the weather gets warmer because of a simple fact: more people are riding their motorcycles and parking them outside during the spring than in the winter. As the weather gets warmer, motorcyclists take their bike out for the season. 

Capt. Ameri said that four motorcycles have been stolen in the past four or five weeks. Although grand larceny autos are are down 66.7 percent this month compared to this month last year, Ameri explained, it is a trend specific to the nice weather. 

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The latest motorcycle theft occurred on April 11, from its parking space outside of an apartment building between tk and tk avenues. The owner told police that she used a wheel lock, but did not secure it to the fence that the motorcycle was parked next to.

Another motorcycle was , between Fourth and Fifth avenues.

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Ameri said that in most cases, motorcycles get stolen because people do not lock them to a fence or gate and only use a wheel lock.

A motorcycle theft can happen very quickly, Amei explained.

“It’s done in a minute, not even,” Ameri said. He explained that jackers usually pull up in a van, pick up the motorcycle, put it in the back of the van and drive away. “It doesn’t matter if you use a wheel lock, three guys will still be able to pick it up and take it away.

Ameri gave a couple of tips to keep your motorcycle safe:

  • If you have the luxury, keep your motorcycle inside—inside is the safest place.
  • Using a heavy-duty lock, secure it to a fence or gate.
  • Check on it daily
  • If you see a motorcycle being stolen, call 9-1-1 immediately.


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