Bikes Thefts 'Through the Roof' in Marina del Rey; Live-Aboards Update

Bike thefts have been spiking in Marina del Rey and the marina area patrolled by Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies had 10 grand theft cases in August.

Lt. Reginald D. Gautt of the sheriff's Marina del Rey station in a verbal report to the Small Craft Harbor Commission on Wednesday said residents are still suffering from crimes of opportunity.

"Our bicycle thefts are currently through the roof," Gautt said. He urged residents to join the National Bike Registry, a service that attaches serial numbers to recover stolen bikes nationwide.

Tenants have been placing their bikes in downstairs parking garages and are only chaining them up, Gautt said.

"If you have an expensive bike try to secure it better than a chain," Gautt said. "Take it up to your apartment and try to secure it."

Gautt said he has his bikes registered with the National Bike Registry, which costs $10 for 10 years coverage of an individual bike, $25 for 30 year registration and $25 for a family registration covering up to five bicycles.

Gautt submitted written reports to the commission that included a breakdown of crime in the marina area for August. The report counted 26 crimes in the the West Marina district 2760, the East Marina district of 2761 and the Marina Water district 2763. There was one reported rape, one robbery with a weapon, one strong-armed robbery, one burglary of a residence, one burglary of another structure, 10 grand thefts, three grand theft autos, three vehicle burglaries, one boat burglary and four petty thefts.

The sheriff's Marina del Rey station investigated 16 burglary residences in August in its eastern patrol area.

Gautt told the commission that there was little change in the department's live-aboard compliance report. There were four new live-aboard permits issued in August and 16 renewed. Sheriff's deputies issued 36 notice to comply orders to live-aboard tenants, down from 44 in July.

There were 4,690 total vessels in the Marina del Rey harbor in August with 289 people living on boats; 192 having current permits, 69 having expired permits and 28 having no permits. A little more than 6 percent of all boats registered in the marina had live-aboards and 10 vessels were impounded.

Gautt also said that a deputy and sergeant were out receiving special training in Florida to enhance marina protection.