BTAC & Canadian Crime Stoppers Association Join Operation Hands Off to Help Prevent Bike Theft!
The Bicycle Trade Association of Canada (BTAC) and Canadian Crime Stoppers have partnered with DataDot
Operation Hands Off is a multi-layered strategy bringing together everyone from manufacturers and dealers, to insurance companies, bike owners, and police forces. It is endorsed by Canadian Crime Stoppers Association and recognized as an industry best practice by the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada and Norco Performance Bikes.
DataMatrixDNA decals carry a machine-readable code number that is registered with the bicycle's own serial number in an online database accessible by police anywhere in the world. Under Operation Hands Off, decals clearly mark bicycles as being easily traceable by police - a clear message to would be thieves. This deters organized theft rings that steal bikes then ship them to other jurisdictions for sale.
Owners of higher-end bicycles can also add further protection to their equipment with DataDotDNA®, a microdot identification system that can be applied not only to the frame, but to all components of the bicycle. Hard to spot and extremely difficult to remove, this technology allows police to identify the stolen property even if thieves disassemble the bike.
Operations Hands Off is the first Bike Registry in
"For the first time, police will have an easy way to identify the owner of a stolen bicycle and quickly get the bike back in the owner's hands," states Janet O'Connell, Executive Director of BTAC. "This presents a great opportunity for BTAC Retailers to provide their customers with a protection program that really works."
According to Statistics Canada, more than 44,000 bikes were reported stolen across the country in 2007 alone - about one every 12 minutes. Since many thefts go unreported, the total number of stolen bikes is estimated to be at least double this amount. Although police recover thousands of bicycles every year, the vast majority go unclaimed because there is no way to identify the owner.
“Operation Hands Off aligns very well with the ideals of Canadian Crime Stoppers, in that it engages the community, right from the bike owner and retailer to police, in preventing these crimes. By working together, we can prevent bike theft, help apprehend the criminals, and help the victims. Ultimately, we are building stronger, safer communities.” Ralph Page, Chair, Canadian Crime Stoppers Association.
Operation Hands Off has proven itself across the country, dramatically reducing and in some cases nearly eliminating theft for participating industry partners. Join the campaign to prevent bicycle theft and keep your customers riding!
For more information, visit www.operationhandsoff.com and www.datadotcanada.ca.
Both DataDotDNA® and the DataMatrixDNA are products of DataDot Technology
For more information, contact:
Pat Cowman, President, DataDot Technology
Ralph Page, Chairman, Canadian Crime Stoppers Association 807.547.2363
Martin Tammik,
Janet O'Connell, Executive Director, Bicycle Trade Association of
