BICYCLE & PROPERTY SECURITY

Property Registration

Property Registration for your bicycle, laptop, computer, etc. is free.

Property Safeguards

Reducing the opportunity for criminals can help protect your property. Most crime at the University of Denver involves thefts and burglaries where property is stolen. Some steps you can take to safeguard possessions are listed below:

1. Locking doors and windows at your residence can significantly decrease your vulnerability to thieves. Even if you are gone for a short time, lock your residence to deny easy access to criminals.
2. Many crimes at D.U. target vehicles in parking lots. Remove valuables from cars. If your car stereo has a removable faceplate, take it with you. Keep your car locked and park in well lighted areas.
3. Bicycles are a common target of thieves. Register your bike and record its serial number. Learn how to properly lock your bike using a good quality U-lock.
4. Be aware of who is at your door. When someone knocks, use the peephole to observe the person at your door. If you don't recognize them, obtain verifiable ID as to who they are and what they want. All D.U. employees have identification cards which can be used to confirm their identity.
5. Consider getting a small lock box to store jewelry, money and other valuables in, and store it out of sight.
6. Record serial numbers of your property. A log for keeping record of property descriptions and serial numbers are included in this brochure. Having several numbers available greatly increases the chances of recovering stolen property and returning it to its owner.

Sources:

1. Campus Crime Prevention Programs. Don't Become a Victim of Opportunity.

top

University of Denver Bicycle Program [PDF]

PURPOSE
The University of Denver endorses the use of bicycles for pleasure, exercise, and commuting to and around the DU Campus. The University wants to create a safe, user-friendly environment for bicyclists on campus.

GOAL
There are three primary goals associated with the bicycle program:

1. Promote the use of bicycles by faculty, staff, and students for transportation to and around the campus.
2. Provide a safe, user-friendly environment with convenient shared-use paths and a sufficient number of dedicated bicycle racks located about campus.
3. Eliminate, to the maximum extent possible, the theft and abandonment of bicycles on the DU Campus.

METHODOLOGY
To achieve these goals Campus Safety, through the Department of Parking and Transportation Services has established the following policies regarding bicycles and their usage on campus.

1. While riding bicycles on campus, riders must yield to all pedestrians. In areas with a high density of pedestrians it is prudent to dismount and walk the bike through the congested area.
2. When riding on campus during inclement weather or during the hours of darkness riders should wear light colored/reflective clothing and use lights to increase their visibility to cars and pedestrians.
3. In order to deter bicycle theft, all bicycles parked on the DU Campus MUST be secured with a “U-Lock” locking device such as those manufactured by Master Lock or Kryptonite Locks. The only authorized alternative is the use of a hardened steel chain and lock with a 5/16” or greater link thickness.
   1. Cable locks, no matter their thickness or cost, are easily defeated by bicycle thieves and are not suitable alternatives, however cable locks may be used to compliment the U-Lock.
   2. Unsecured bicycles will be impounded and held at the Campus Safety Center located in the Evans Building at 2130 South High Street. A recovery fee will be charged to offset the cost of immobilization/impoundment.
   3. Bicycles using unauthorized locks, or improperly locked, may have the bicycle immobilized either by ‘booting’ with a Campus Safety U-Lock or through removal of the existing lock and impoundment at the Campus Safety Center. A recovery fee will be charged to offset the cost of immobilization/impoundment.
4. All bicycles parked on campus must utilize an approved bicycle rack.
   1. Bicycles MAY NOT be secured to signs, lamp posts, hand rails, or landscaping.
   2. Bicycles found secured to such prohibited areas will be removed and impounded at the Campus Safety Center. A recovery fee will be charged to offset the cost of immobilization/impoundment. Bicycle owners may also be responsible for any damage caused to University property by securing their bicycle to inappropriate objects.
5. Registration is required for all bicycles routinely parked on campus. Lost or stolen bicycles have a greater chance for a successful return to the owner if properly registered. Registration is free at www.parking.du.edu. Once registered the registration decal may be picked up at Transportations Solutions located at the entrance to the Evans Parking Garage, 2130 South High Street.
6. Abandoned bicycles recovered on campus and impounded bicycles held over 90 days may be sold at auction. Parking and Transportation Services holds the abandoned bike auction two times per year…once in the fall and again in the spring. For dates and times visit www.parking.du.edu. Proceeds from this auction will be used to improve the bicycling environment at DU.
7. Mopeds and other motorized, two-wheeled, vehicles are treated as bicycles unless they exceed 50cc. These vehicle should be locked and may, if possible, be locked to a bike rack but may not be parked on sidewalks, steps, or where they may interfere with pedestrian traffic. For questions on how best to secure your moped/scooter please contact Campus Safety. Scooters/cycles with engines greater than 50cc are required to be registered with the state of Colorado, have license plates, are required to purchase a DU motorcycle parking permit and must adhere to DU Parking Rules.
8. Registration is required for all motorized two-wheeled vehicles routinely parked on campus. Lost or stolen vehicles have a greater chance for a successful return to the owner if properly registered. Registration is free at www.parking.du.edu. Once registered the registration decal may be picked up at Transportations Solutions located at the entrance to the Evans Parking Garage, 2130 South High Street.

Bicycle Theft Prevention

Bicycle thefts continue to be an ongoing concern for the university. Please review the following bicycle policy and bicycle theft prevention tips below:

Anyone that parks a bicycle on the University of Denver campus, at a bike rack is required to secure their bicycle with a U-locking device or a heavy-duty case-hardened chain and lock. A bicycle survey is done weekly at various bike lots around the campus. Failure to properly secure your bicycle with one of the above locking devices may result in your bicycle being immobilized (booted), or impounded by Campus Safety. The following procedure is instituted when a bike is found to be improperly locked or locked with an inadequate locking device:

1. Information regarding the bicycle program is placed on the bike along with information informing the owner that the bike is improperly secured.
2. If the bike is still there a week later, a "notice of immobilization" is placed on the bike along with a Campus Safety U-Lock. Also, a "notice of bike removal" is attached to the bike informing the owner that the bike will be impounded if the owner fails to contact Campus Safety.
3. If the owner fails to contact Campus Safety by the third week, the bike is removed and stored at the Campus Safety bike pound for 90 days. After the bike has been held for 90 days, the bike is auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Additional tips for keeping your bicycle more secure:

1. Register your bicycle with the university.
2. Lock your bicycle, even if you're leaving it for "just a minute".
3. U-Locks (Kryptonite) are one of the best theft-resistant locks available. Accessories are also available to increase the effectiveness of these locks. News Release (Sept 30, 2004) - Kryptonite to replace bicycle locks.
4. Cables with ordinary padlocks are easily defeated by thieves and should never be used to secure bicycles. Heavy-duty chains with casehardened, 5/15" thick links and casehardened padlocks are more secure, but still inferior to U-Locks.
5. Lock your bicycle to a fixed object, ideally a bicycle rack. Do not lock your bicycle to hand railings or on handicap ramps.
6. Lock your bicycle in a highly visible, well lighted location.

top

Bicycle Auctions

top

Laptop Theft Prevention

The most effective way to prevent laptop theft is to take the following proactive steps.

1. Register your laptop with the university.
2. NEVER leave your laptop unattended.
3. Consider purchasing insurance for your laptop. Safeware, Inc. provides insurance for laptops. Insurance coverage ranges depending on the cost of the laptop with no deductible. Coverage includes theft, fire, natural causes or if you accidentally drop your laptop.
4. Avoid the use of obvious laptop bags. Use a backpack or a duffel bag to camouflage your laptop.
5. Back up all important data daily. Even if the laptop is insured, the user will incur significant losses recreating information stored on the laptop.
6. Use a locking device to protect your laptop. A drive lock or a notebook microsaver lock can be used to protect your laptop when left unattended. Locking devices can be purchased at University of Denver Bookstore.
7. Taking advantage of password locking features and encryption programs offer an added level of security.
8. Report on-campus suspicious activity to Campus Safety immediately by calling (303) 871-2334 or x12334.

top