[Mayor] Robert Garcia and [Councilwoman] Suzie Price it's time to do something. Bike stealing in Belmont Shore is out of control. I'm sure you have lots of stuff to deal with but when I am at Roe Restaurant at the Shore and see two guys steal two bikes right in front of the restaurant, I can't believe my eyes. It happened before I realized what happened. This directly affects the security of residents. We are not safe!

As of the noon hour Tuesday May 30, Mayor Garcia hadn't responded on Facebook...but 3rd district Councilwoman Suzie Price (took office in mid-2014, like Garcia seeks re-election April 2018) responded nearly immediately. Councilwoman Price -- who has chaired the Council's Public Safety Committee since nearly the start of her term of office -- responded on Facebook as follows:

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Paul, thanks for reaching out. My own bike was Stolen on 2nd street. I'm bringing a bike chop shop and bike registration item to council in June. Bike parts are currency for a lot of drug users. I agree we need to be more vigilant. I'll talk to the chief and our commander and see if they can step up patrols on 2nd street. I'll also talk to the city prosecutor about what more we can do to go after this crime more proactively and aggressively. Again, thanks for reaching out. Jack from my office will contact you about our bike theft agenda items. Would love to have your support when the items come up.

Facebook responses from the public followed; some went beyond bicycle thefts and alleged that vagrants, tweakers and drug addicts are resposible for crimes in their neighborhoods, an issue that produced a visible rift at the May 23, 2017 Council meeting, between the Mayor/Council and some Long Beach residents (LBREPORT.com coverage here.)

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We anonymized salient responses from the public below:

This is a huge problem at CSULB. My son's old beat up bike was stolen in the first few weeks of attending the University and has ended up walking to school for the last three and half years. It is as though the police and city do not care at all.

Please add 5th district too!

That must've been hard to watch....especially when it's occurring in your hometown and a city you're so proud of...

[Comment directed to Councilwoman Gonzalez] Lena Gonzalez [took office mid-July 2014, seeks re-election April 2018] let's not forget about DTLB too. In my 15 years in DTLB I've never seen this "petty" theft so bad. Our "secure" DTLB building has been robbed (of packages & bikes) 2X in the past 60 days. It's to the frequency point where residents ar...See More

Suzie Price please don't forget the bikes stolen from houses and apartments in the Shore and taken to locations behind Chuck's and by the pier to be chopped. It's been happening more and more, just like the packages stolen off residents' porches. I'm happy to support whatever you can do. [Price responds: "Absolutely..."

5th district has a huge problem as well.

I have a few Bicycles missing from my garage. I recovered one last week and the buyers describe this guys Makie and girlfriend Emily with a brown pit bull sold it to him and gave Emily's info as the owner from the receipt he ask for. At one time, I found them sleeping in the garage and called the LBPD but let go since they were only trespassing.

This is happening all over the city, and as much as I hate to say it, it affects my willingness to ride, if i know I'll have to lock my bike someplace where I can't keep my eyes on it (while locked). I'm very happy to hear this is coming before Council in June.

We just had one stolen from our back patio four days ago.

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[Chef Buchanan replies] In a city that is so bike friendly, it's sad that we now are fearful of riding because of this rampant theft problem.

We just had one stolen from our back patio 4 days ago.

2 bikes stolen! One of them my moms and I still don't have the heart to tell her. Taken right in front of the Belmont Brewery! Damn Chrystal Meth users!! It's not the homeless.

[Chef Buchanan replies]...My business Primal Alchemy has been there at the Belmont Pier for almost 7 years now and the bike theft there has been escalating out of control the past 2 years

[Further reply] WE live across the street from the bluff. We watch on a daily basis -- and I mean all day, every day, as they dismantle, rebuild, sand off and resell the bikes right there under teh tre to the fence that used to be the motel. We've called, reported, videoed, begged, pleased for LBPD to at least come by and take a look. Maybe to start a bike ring task force. Must be too busy. There's also the occasional woman and dog beating that takes place out of the tents they've set up and live in. When my phone was stolen straight out of my hand while sitting on the patio of Social list (after losting all my bikes to theft among other things, including my prized possession, my ORBEA road bike) I kind of have lost all hope and have begun to imagine moving to a loess crime affected and more law protected city, which I find really sad because i love our town...I'd really like to take action and take our town back...

[Further reply] THIS i hear this weekly from friends and neighbors in DTLB. It's soon to hit the Tipping Point. If it is not address from a City/policing standpoint, the voting public WILL address it.