LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Electric scooters, also known as e-scooters, have become more common in Los Angeles over the last several years, providing an environmentally friendly alternative for short commutes. But according to police, there’s been a rise in e-scooter theft.
L.A.-based news and data nonprofit organization Crosstown analyzed almost four years of LAPD crime reports and found a 129% increase in e-scooter theft.
The data shows 539 crimes involving motorized vehicles in the city from the beginning of the year until Nov. 20.
The vast majority of the scooters being stolen are privately owned as opposed to the branded scooters such as those made by companies like Bird, Lime and other operators that are commonly seen throughout L.A.
The report also shows almost one third of the thefts have occurred on the University of Southern California campus with 156 incidents from Jan. 1-Nov. 20.
USC student Jeff Osorno spoke with Eyewitness News and said he prefers using an e-scooter because …