Thefts of Bicycles and Smart Phones Increase on Metro System

Metro has released its newest crime report, and the numbers are decidedly good news-bad news.

The bad news first: Overall thefts of bicycles and electronic devices rose in 2013, when compared to 2012.

And the good: Other crimes, including aggravated assault, are down.

Snatch thefts of smartphones and other goods jumped 30 percent, with 643 reported in 2013. The year before, there were 491 such thefts, Metro reports, according to WTOP.

Metro Transit Police Chief Ron Pavlik told the station he believes the increase is because more people are standing on station platforms or aboard trains transfixed by their smartphones.

"We always encourage our customers, and I've said it before, to get their head out of their phone. We're such a social-driven media society now. If (you) do use it, use two hands. And just maintain awareness. If you see someone encroaching on your personal space, then just tuck it away," says Pavlik.

Bicycle thefts are up about 25 percent from 330 in 2012 to 411 in 2013. 

Metro reports 96 percent of the bike thefts in 2013 were on bicycles with old chain locks. Only 4 percent were with the newer U-locks.

The Metro Transit Police Department also monitors where bike thefts occur and puts crime suppression teams at spots where crime is on the rise.

Metro reports other crimes are going down. Aggravated assault, homicide, pickpocketing, auto-related larceny and auto thefts were all down in 2013.