OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – As the weather warms up, police are reminding people to protect their property.
Area police departments warn thefts from cars, garages and even homes often increase with the rising temperature.
Cops say they can sound like broken records in spring sometimes, but they said the message is important.
“With the warmer weather you’re gonna have more thieves out. They like the warm weather as well”
Oshkosh Police Officer Joe Nichols tells WLUK us bicycle thefts have been a particular problem this spring.
He said three were reported stolen in one day.
“It’s been an on-going problem for many years, where people are not registering their bikes with the City of Oshkosh. There is an ordinance”
According to Nichols of the bikes that are found, only a small percentage are registered and returned to their owners.
“There is no charge for the bike registration. Takes no more than ten minutes to come in”
Nichols says even more important than the registration, is to take steps to prevent the theft in the first place.
“Put them away in a garage. Lock the garage door. Lock the bikes”
Sgt. Dave Lund with the Appleton Police Department indicates stolen bikes aren’t the only concern.
He tells WLUK thefts of electronics and money from cars and even homes go up with warmer weather as well.
“Someone may have that intent to go and steal things, but they’re not looking to break windows. They not looking to kick in doors”
Lund calls them crimes of opportunity.
“A lot of times, unfortunately, we’re dealing with individuals who are looking to score something quickly so they can go buy drugs”
Lund advises three steps for keeping your stuff secure.
“Shut your doors. Lock your doors. Turn your lights on”
That goes for homes, garages and cars.
