MPD doesn't keep a list of stolen bikes

I almost breezed over this post on PoP until I read this line

I called MPD and they will pick it up but don’t have a list of stolen bikes to match it up.

I know we don't register bikes anymore, but they should be comparing recovered bikes like this to the National Bike Registry and the Stolen Bike Registry - especially since DDOT and MPD encourage cyclists to register their bikes on these. And they should be adding bikes reported as stolen to the Stolen Bike Registry - or at least encouraging the victim to do so. I've never gotten answers about what MPD does about stolen bikes, but comments like this do not bode well. More on what I think they should do here.

Anyway if the bike in the photo is your stolen folding bike, MPD may have it.

Comments

[SJE]

So, they have items with values ranging from $100- $thousands, each of which has a clear serial number in the same place, and they don't keep a list of SNs? You could keep it all in a single Excel spreadsheet.

[ontarioroader]

Serial numbers of stolen property [cars, bicycles, stereos, etc] are supposed to be entered in NCIC - a federal database of stolen items and wanted individuals. It would be ridiculous for each law enforcement agency to keep a list of things stolen only in their jurisdiction. NCIC's 'stolen article file' can be accessed by any law enforcement agency so if your bike is stolen in DC and Arlington County PD recovers it you have a chance of getting it back. This assumes of course that MPD entered the serial number [correctly] and that Arlington did the same.

[SJE]

Thanks Ontario, I didn't know that.

Still, if the MPD tells you to record and register your serial number, you'd think that they would bother to do the same on stolen property.

[manor]

Are you new in town? We don't even have a crime lab here in DC, we borrow the FBIs and VAs when they let us (rarely). Law enforcement is by far not a priority in DC, sad to say. Blame Phil Mendelson. Have you ever seen thugs even try to be discrete? I think not...

[IMGoph]

loose lips summarizes this post down to "don't bother registering your bike."