SPD, Please Make it Easier to File a Stolen Bike Claim

Dear Chief O’Toole,

The Seattle Police Department needs to make it easier to file a claim for stolen bikes. While you can file a claim for a bike stolen under $500 online, for a bike valued more than that you need to call and the call-in experience leaves a lot to be desired. You should be able to file a claim, online, regardless of the value of the bike.

I had my bike stolen on last Saturday. I promptly called the SPD’s non-emergency number, finally connected with an operator, who offered that I could either have an officer come visit me in person to file a claim or I could do it over the phone. Not wanting to waste SPD’s resources with an in-home visit I opted to do it on the phone but it turns out you can’t file a claim over the phone on the weekend. I would need to call back Monday.

So I called back Monday. Numerous times. But each time the phone rang and rang. I eventually connected with an operator Monday afternoon only to be told no one was available to take a claim over the phone but I could have someone come out. Again, not wanting to waste SPD resources, I declined the in-home visit, she suggested I call back in the morning. I called the next morning. Again had a hard time connecting with an operator. Finally did only to discover that they simply take your number and then an officer calls you back.

I eventually get a call from an officer and filed my claim. I know that it is unlikely that I’ll get my bike back via this route but I feel it is important it is logged how often a bike is stolen and from where. It’d be great if the SPD could allow bike victims to report any bike theft, regardless of value, online.

Thanks,
Matt
p.s. if you find a 2014 Cannondale Bad Boy with blue brake levers, let me know!

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