CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- So many motorcycles in Clarksville have been reported stolen that police have formed a task force to fight the problem.

Clarksville Police Chief Al Ansley told The Leaf-Chronicle that officers are being "proactive and reactive" in their investigation of the spike in thefts. He said motorcycle owners should take precautions and urged anyone who sees suspicious activity to report it.

The newspaper reports that there have been 59 motorcycles stolen in the city in the past year with a combined value of more than $400,000. The thefts made up more than one-quarter of all thefts reported in the city.

Captain David Crockarell said officers have also contacted nearby law enforcement agencies, including in Murfreesboro, because they believe similar thefts are happening in other jurisdictions on a smaller scale.