The San Francisco police are taking their anti-bike-theft efforts to social media.
According to the San Francisco Police Department’s recent report on bike thefts, 864 bikes were recovered by the police in 2012, but only 142 were returned to their owners. Fed up with this sad statistic, Officer Matt Friedman took the fight against bike theft to Twitter. Friedman started up the account @SFPDBikeTheft at the end of July, and so far, he's made at least one bike owner very happy.
@LK It was our pleasure glad you got your bicycle back IT'S MY BIKE!!!! A million thank yous to @SFPDBikeTheft!!! pic.twitter.com/dOjCs4quoP
— SFPD Anti Bike Theft (@SFPDBikeTheft) August 8, 2013
Friedman also keeps the account flowing with bike-locking techniques, photos of stolen bikes recovered by the police, and even photos of bike thieves.
@Marccaz @plattyjo - Charles Vogel This person is a recidivist bike thief. Call 911 if you see him near a bike. pic.twitter.com/CiJjT4UORj
— SFPD Anti Bike Theft (@SFPDBikeTheft) August 7, 2013
@Marccaz @plattyjo Mugshot of Mr. Charles Vogel, recidivist bike thief - for crimes in progress always call 911 pic.twitter.com/gd6dIkdvBa
— SFPD Anti Bike Theft (@SFPDBikeTheft) August 13, 2013
Trek Neon Orange & Gry Hybrid at Mission Police Station Contact SGT Pomatto Mission Investigations 415-558-5400 pic.twitter.com/UWRoEKxvgH
— SFPD Anti Bike Theft (@SFPDBikeTheft) July 30, 2013
@jblkk from what I understand its very secure they have video cameras in the cage and usually bart pd nearby or a station agent
— SFPD Anti Bike Theft (@SFPDBikeTheft) August 10, 2013
#sheldonbrownlockingtechnique pic.twitter.com/d1PLHJACJg
— SFPD Anti Bike Theft (@SFPDBikeTheft) August 9, 2013
I found this tire jack on a bike thief who was recently arrested. Small u locks should always be used over large ones pic.twitter.com/5gKR4OFri1
— SFPD Anti Bike Theft (@SFPDBikeTheft) August 14, 2013
@michaelrfowler message me the plate and location plz
— SFPD Anti Bike Theft (@SFPDBikeTheft) August 3, 2013
While there may be legal concerns with tweeting photos of alleged criminals, so far the account has proven popular among the public, with a following of 999 and counting.
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