Countering Bicycle Theft SPVG Joins the Garage 529 Program

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Ville de Gatineau

News release

Countering Bicycle Theft
SPVG Joins the Garage 529 Program

Gatineau, July 3rd, 2021. – The Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau (SPVG) is pleased to inform Gatineau cyclists that it is joining the popular Garage 529 platform to counter bicycle theft in the region.

Quick facts

●	Gatineau cyclists can now protect their bicycles by registering them for free through the Garage 529 platform.

●	Launched in 2013, the Garage 529 platform is currently the best online program for pushing back against bicycle theft and�helping to return recovered bicycles to their rightful owners.

●	The platform is user friendly and free. All it takes is a few clicks to register your bicycle or activate an alert if it's stolen.

●	The program's success depends on the community's participation. The more people register, the more efficient the program gets.

●	The SPVG joins nearly 40 police forces in Canada to join the Garage 529 program, along with the Ottawa Police Service, and the second in Quebec, after the SPVM.

●	Garage 529�has shown impressive results in several cities. The Vancouver Police Department recorded a close to 40% reduction in bicycle thefts since it joined the program in 2016.

●	From 2016 to 2019, SPVG handled an average of 250 complaints of bicycle thefts annually. In 2020, SPVG recorded only 169 cases of bicycle thefts, which is a significant reduction. The pandemic may account for some of that decrease given that there has been an overall drop in property crimes.

How Garage 529 works

●	The first step involves registering your bicycle for free on the Garage 529 platform through project529.com/SPVG

●	The basic information about your bicycle is easy and fast to upload (e.g.: serial number, make and model) from a computer or smartphone app. You can even upload an image of your bicycle.

●	If their bicycle is stolen, Garage 529 users can activate an alert so others in the community and partners can be on the lookout for the missing bicycle.

●	Registering a bicycle makes it easier for owners to reclaim their bicycle if it is recovered.

●	The registry also enables users to ensure that a bicycle they may wish to purchase was not stolen.

●	Garage 529 stickers can be picked up at one of several booths that will be set up by SPVG over the coming weeks.

●	Stickers are not required to register a bicycle on the platform, but other cities using them have found them to be a deterrent to bicycle thieves.

●	SPVG wants to remind the public that it is important to report bicycle thefts so those crimes can be investigated and the information can be shared with other police forces, as well as to file an insurance claim and track incidents for statistical purposes.

Quote

●

�Joining the Garage 529 platform supports our objective of working more closely with the community. It encourages people to come together to counter bicycle theft. We hope that Gatineau cyclists will register their bicycles and encourage their family and friends to do the same. Given the growing popularity of bicycles and active transportation, we are delighted to be able to offer Gatineau residents this new service!� said Constable Andr�e East.

Related links

SVPG Web page on the program

Garage 529 project

App for Apple products

App for Android products

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Published by
Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau

Source
Andr�e East
Agente relationniste
Service de police
Ville de Gatineau
east.andree@gatineau.ca
@policegatineau

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