Approaching schools about abandoned locks on bike racks?

[JoshuaWest]

Anyone every consider approaching schools about abandoned locks on bike racks?

I imagine they end up getting hit with bolt cutters come June anyways. Currently can't see a downside, other than revealing the associated skills and tools to strangers...

[Paleo123]

Would it not be considered lock abuse to just abandon a lock like that? or Is there a bike bandit stealing bikes and leaving behind bike locks as his calling card?

[YouLuckyFox]

People often like to leave the lock on the bike rack if they don't lock it up at home, that way they won't have to worry about carrying a large lock around with them to school. If the bike ever gets wrecked, lost, sold, or stolen -- or if the student moves or graduates -- they will often forget about the lock they left there or not feel like bothering to get it.

[KPick]

People often like to leave the lock on the bike rack if they don't lock it up at home, that way they won't have to worry about carrying a large lock around with them to school. If the bike ever gets wrecked, lost, sold, or stolen -- or if the student moves or graduates -- they will often forget about the lock they left there or not feel like bothering to get it.

I wondered the same as well, but I have to plus one YLF's response. I do see alot of students leave their locks at school for that reason.

[JoshuaWest]

Thanks Everyone,

I too had the thought about students leaving locks behind.


This begs the question of over the summer,

The any locks behind have a much higher chance of being abandoned altogether, but when school is out, there is no one to approach!

Tough stuff.

[Paleo123]

Now this post has really got me thinking about ownership. How do those laws work? Ok lets say for example someone leaves a lock attached to a post on public property who then owns it? Is there an expiration on ownership? How long would that lock have to be there before its original owner forfeits all right to it?

[JoshuaWest]

Ok lets say for example someone leaves a lock attached to a post on public property who then owns it?

Good Point too, Public schools are Public Property....

[KPick]

I don't know. Different locations have different laws. I'd say just buy your own locks lol

[JoshuaWest]

I don't know. Different locations have different laws. I'd say just buy your own locks lol

Definitely has the least risk (of any kind) involved.

But I do want to save locks from bolt cutters whenever possible too!

JW

[Squelchtone]

Having worked at a school, and in light of school shootings and creeps and perverts, theft and vandalism, we were always on the lookout for anything unusual, so I highly recommend you don't talk to anyone at the school, just stop by on the weekend when nobody is there and pretend you're walking your dog, riding your bike or doing something that is normal.. if someone asks what you're doing, and every butthole walking his dog always has a dozen questions, it helps to say I am trying to get my bike lock off the rack someone locked it on me, or if you're an adult, you're helping your kid with their bike lock that some bully locked on them. if you're doing an op, its always good to have a credible back story. I don't think "I'm a hobby picker, don't mind me here at the public school pickin' some locks" would go over well to most people who don't know our hobby.

just my opinion,
Squelchtone

[torontosafecracker]

Arrange a system with the school in a professional manner, approach the front office, and ask to speak with somebody regarding the caretaking. If they ask why, explain lightly that you want to clean up the bike rack and get some locks in the process. If you don't tell them why you are doing it, it'll be weird. Speak to the caretaker, and tell him you would like to take the locks off the rack, but first you need permission.

from there, you post a tag or sticker on each lock that if unlocked, will break the seal, if the seal is broken do not take the lock, if the seal remains intact in the mid summer, then you have yourself a lock. You may want to post something on said sticker about how long they have to remove the lock. Colleges/Universities are probably the best bet.

TSC