KALAMAZOO, MI — Thinking of stealing a bike? Someone with a badge may be watching from above.

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is catching thieves in the act by placing out a “bait bike” (sometimes a high-end carbon fiber model) and arresting them when they ride away.

MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain police reports for 11 such incidents this year. Police set the bait and people would hop on the bike, falling for the trap.

The bait bike program came after steady reports of theft to police, Sgt. Brendan Westrick said.

The community has felt that frustration, he said, and the thefts bothered him, too.

“As an officer, I want to get people’s property back and hold someone accountable, but without witnesses or clear evidence those cases were tou

See Full Page