Sheriff's office urges residents to register their bicycles to combat theft

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging community members to use its new bicycle registration program to register their bicycles.

The free service will increase the chances of bicycles being returned if they are lost or stolen.

Registration will include the owner's contact information and the bicycle's make, model and serial number.

The information collected will be kept in a database at the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies will take registrations at the following places during the summer:

• Robinwood — Tuesday, July 2, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Thursday, Aug. 8, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Washington County Regional Park, 20025 Mt. Aetna Road, Hagerstown
• Maugansville — Wednesday, July 3, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Thursday, Aug. 15, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Maugansville Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company, 13729 Maugansville Road, Hagerstown
• Hancock — Tuesday, July 16, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hancock Police Department, 126 W. High St., Hancock
• Smithsburg — Tuesday, July 30, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday, Aug. 13, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Smithsburg Library, 66 W. Water St., Smithsburg
• Boonsboro — Wednesday, July 31, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday, Aug. 14, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Boonsboro Police Department, 241 Potomac St., Boonsboro
• Funkstown — Thursday, Aug. 1, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Funkstown Fire Company, 2 S. Westside Ave., Funkstown.

For more information, send an email to sheriffbicycle@washcomd.onmicrosoft.com.