March 2, 2008
Gary Davidson
Public Information Officer

MOTORCYCLE THEFT PREVENTION TASK FORCE HITS THE STREETS 

Motorcycle enthusiasts aren’t the only ones out in force during this year’s annual 10-day run of Bike Week in Volusia County. A multi-agency law enforcement Task Force headed by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office has taken to the streets in a coordinated effort to stop motorcycle thieves in their tracks. Already, the Task Force has recovered four stolen motorcycles since Friday. While no arrests have been made, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office’s Motorcycle Anti-Theft Task Force is conducting follow-up investigations on each recovered bike to try to identify the bandits. In addition to actively hunting stolen bikes, the Task Force also is deploying bait motorcycles in high theft areas as an added way to deter crooks. In addition, the Task Force is working to put a halt to illegal, side-of-the-road motorcycle sales -- commonly known as curbstoning, according to Sheriff’s investigator Todd Blair, who heads up the Task Force. “We’re continuing to saturate hot spots throughout the county,” said Blair. “Our goal is not only to catch thieves, but to deter crimes from occurring in the first place. We plan to maintain a high visibility, be out among the crowds and vigorously enforce the law to ensure that Bike Week is as safe and crime-free as possible.” 

Citing last year’s statistics, Blair said the Task Force is having a positive impact on the safety and security of Bike Week. Last year, intensive enforcement efforts by the Task Force contributed to a more than 40 percent decrease in the number of motorcycles that were reported stolen during the 2007 Bike Week event. Also during last year’s event, the Task Force recovered 16 stolen motorcycles valued at more than $130,000. Much of the motorcycle recoveries were the result of proactive patrols by Task Force members on the lookout for the tell-tale signs of a possible theft, such as someone cutting a lock, tampering with a motorcycle, loitering in a parking lot or walking bikes down a street and loading them onto a trailer. The Task Force also is urging anyone who sees any suspicious activity during Bike Week to notify law enforcement or call the toll-free, anonymous tips hotline, (888) 277-TIPS, operated by Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida. “We’re asking the public to be an extra set of eyes and ears to help make this event a success,” said Blair. 

Approximately 30 officers from agencies around the county, state and nation are participating in this year’s Task Force. In addition to auto theft investigators with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, other participating local agencies include the Daytona Beach Police Department, Port Orange Police Department, Daytona Beach Shores Department of Public Safety and the New Smyrna Beach Police Department. Other agencies from across the state include the Florida Highway Patrol, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Myrtle Beach Police Department and the Seminole County, Lee County and Jacksonville sheriff’s offices. The Connecticut State Police, American Modern Insurance Group, GEICO Insurance Company and the National Insurance Crime Bureau also are participating.