We’ve all seen it, a homeless person pushing a stroller or camped beside one with their goods inside. To state that the homeless situation is dire in San Francisco is an understatement, and as the homeless population increases, so does the rise in stroller theft. Strollers are the new shopping carts for our city’s homeless and are being taken from front porches, grocery stores and even partially opened garages. It pains us to see someone in need, but it is also never okay to steal. Until we can find a way to properly help those in need, we need to take precautions to make sure that our gear stays safe.
We have seen a sharp rise in stroller theft over the years and have begun keeping a record of stolen strollers. We have found that in San Francisco, the majority of stolen strollers are joggers (because of their durability) and strollers with large under-seat baskets and car seat carriers. Strollers with large under-seat baskets are more likely to be taken if the car seat or toddler seat/bassinet is not attached and if the brake was not engaged.
If you can lock your stroller up with a bike or stroller lock – great! If you can place the whole stroller in a locked garage or entryway – even better! If you can’t do either of those things (you’re at Disneyland or your baby just had a major blowout – we’ve all been there), try this quick tip – remove a wheel (and don’t forget to bring a bag with you to place your dirty wheel in).
If you have questions about your particular stroller, want to know how to remove the wheels, or have ideas for how we can help those in need, please reach out, we are here to help and want to hear your thoughts!
