Bike Thieves On The Prowl

Bike riders: keep your rides close and your locks tight! There's been a rash of bike thefts in the Seaton Village area and west of it. Again. Or people are just being more vocal about them.
Either way, exercise due caution.
Reports include locked bikes taken from front porches and busy street corners.
Sigh.
Vanessa

Bike Theft in Hogtown: The Numbers

Since I began riding my bike again in earnest several years ago, it's been the target for thieves. Of course. This is Toronto, after all.
I've had the front wheel removed from my bike while it sat locked on College Street in the middle of the day in front of a busy streetcar stop. When I left my bike there overnight, having no way to get it home, I returned the next morning to discover the back wheel was missing, as well.
I've had my bells stolen, my helmet stolen and my locks tampered with. I also had my wheel stolen on a separate occasion.
Neighbours have had their bikes stolen from locked garages in their backyards in the middle of the day. 
I think you get the point.
BlogTO ran a story about bike theft numbers this week. It's illuminating and it includes a link to a video that will show you how to keep your bike locked up as safely as is possible.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Seaton Village Updates

The Seaton Village Residents' Association blog has bits of interesting news. Worth noting is that the hot water "scammers" are back in the area, knocking on doors. 
As well, bike theft always is an issue in our area, but there seems to be a spike lately.
Cheers,
Vanessa