Oct. 29 is the third annual Buckle Up Phone Down Day.

The challenge is simple: when you get into any vehicle, buckle up your safety belt. If you are a driver, put the cell phone down. Turn it off if you have to. Every trip, every time!

There has been a rash of bicycle thefts over the past two weeks and Campus Safety needs your help in preventing these crimes from occurring.

1. The above individuals have been banned from MSU property. If you see any of them on campus, contact Campus Safety at 836-5509 so we can have them removed.
2. If you see anyone suspicious near the bicycle racks, call 9-1-1 or Campus Safety immediately.
3. If you have not registered your bicycle, do so! Go to Transportation Services website for more information.
4. Take a photo of your bicycle and the serial number to have for your records.
5. If you do not have a U-lock style bicycle lock, get one! It is the best way to prevent bicycle theft since cable locks can be cut within seconds.
6. If your bicycle is missing, call Campus Safety or 9-1-1 and make a police report.

The Springfield Police Department and Campus Safety have caught individuals removing bicycles from campus, but little could be done because the victim or victims have been unable to describe their bicycle or provide the serial number. The other issue is the failure to use a U-lock style bicycle lock. Cable locks do not provide protection against simple bolt cutters. Lastly, if you see the above individuals on campus, we want to know so we can have them removed. We need your help to stop bicycle thefts!

Let us know if you have questions.

 

Missouri State University has bike paths across campus that provide a fast and safe means of getting to classes. However, with a large number of bicycles congregated near the residence halls, some use that as an opportunity to snatch them and sell for a few bucks. University Safety has taken several steps to prevent this from occurring, including:

• Adding a second dispatcher to each shift. Their primary duty is to monitoring cameras to identify suspicious individuals near bicycle racks and in parking lots.
• Increasing security cameras covering bicycle racks and parking lots and have several more on the way.
• Providing students with the ability to register their bicycle. We need to identify the owner to allow the police to successfully prosecute when someone is apprehended.

We need your help, such as:

• Use a U-bolt style of bicycle lock. Cable locks are easy to cut. U-bolt are nearly impossible.
• Register your bicycle with Transportation Services.
• Notify Campus Safety if you see anyone suspicious near the bicycle racks. 417-836-5509
• Check on your bicycle regularly.
• Don’t leave your bicycle in poorly lit areas overnight.

Therefore, we encourage you to take these basic precautions so we can keep our campus safe. If you have suggestions, we would like to hear from you.