The Tarleton State University police department has announced a new registration program for this fall which will include the registration of bicycles used by faculty, staff, and students around campus.

This new program is being introduced as a new, efficient way to return stolen bicycles to their rightful owners and hopefully discourage thieves from taking the bike.

“I do not think it will actually prevent a theft, but is one more tool to help with the crime,” police lieutenant Al Allcon said. “What we have often theorized in law enforcement is that if someone has property protected in some manner, i.e. an alarm at a residence or business, or property marked with identifiers, that a thief would possibly pass by that property to commit a crime and seek an opportunity where it was less likely they would be discovered. We are hoping this may be true with bicycles, also.”

Registering a bike is free to the user and involves a short visit to the University Police Department and Parking Office. The owners will register their bike according to its make or brand, color, and serial number. Once the bike is in the system, owners will receive a sticker to place on the bike giving university police access to the details on the bike.

Once someone registers their bike and it is stolen, they will need to contact university police to file a report. The police will then take the necessary actions to find the bike and return it to the owner.

“Additionally, if we have the bike registered and it is stolen then we have a greater opportunity of retuning the property to the rightful owner if someone is caught with it or tries to sell it to a pawn shop or similar business,” Allcon said. “By registering a bicycle the Parking Department will have the serial number of the bicycle and then if it does come to our attention we can return it or even get hold of the owner to see if it is stolen or return it if misplaced.”

For more information on the new registration system, bicyclists can contact Nelda Moore at (254)968-9724.