Brandon Police in conjunction with Project 529 are officially launching this weekend a new component to increased efforts to combat the rise in bike thefts in Brandon.
529 Garage is referred to as a “digital neighbourhood watch for your bike.” Using a website or app, bike owners are for free in just a few minutes able to register their bicycle in a central registry. Registering includes giving information on the make of bicycle and serial number in addition to other optional info such as a photo of the bike and a picture of purchase receipt. Once a bike’s details are in the system, in the event it’s stolen Police will be able to use that info to help connect it with its rightful owner rather than it going to auction. If a bike is taken it can also be reported directly through the app in addition to contacting Police. There is also a search feature that allows one to do a search of bikes that have been reported stolen.
To mark the kickoff of the new system locally, between 11:30am and 4pm on Saturday bike owners are being encouraged to bring their bicycle to the parking lot of the Brandon Police Station at 1020 Victoria Avenue where a free BBQ will be taking place. When there folks will be on hand to process free registrations through the 529 Garage service. As a bonus, free bike locks are given out to everyone that stops in to register on Saturday and it looks like BPS is setup and ready to facilitate a lot of signups!
If you aren’t able to make it out on Saturday, the online system is already up and running at http://www.project529.com/brandonpoliceservice and I can attest to the fact that registering takes just a few quick minutes. You can also find the app in the App Store by searching for “529 Garage. ” Registrations can also be made by calling Police at 204-729-2345.
With the mindset that the service is most effective when as many folks as possible register, in conjunction with rollout of the project local bike shops such as A & L Cycle and Stream N Wood (pictured) are educating customers on bike registration.
In the 2018 Brandon Police annual report, calls relating to bike thefts were said to have risen a whopping 35.4% compared to the previous year. Thanks to success in other municipalities the same 529 Garage system is in the process of being put in place in many others throughout Canada and the USA. In the three years since being introduced in Vancouver it’s said that thefts in that city have been reduced by 30% and I’m sure more than a few would like to see something resembling that success locally!