(08-11-2025, 11:21 PM)Bob_McBob Wrote: Everyone knows stolen bicycles go straight to one of the local chop shops to have the serial number removed and be painted and parted out. WRPS doesn't give a shit about them, and I doubt they were involved in many of those 432 recoveries. I've seen many cases where people knew exactly where their bikes were and WRPS refused to assist. I doubt this service is going to change that.
I'm sure the police will come into possession of a handful of bikes each year that are registered and can be return through this, so it's better than nothing at least.
But you're right that if any effort beyond that is needed, they are useless. I know multiple people who have found their stolen goods, including bikes, and the police will 1) not assist, and 2) tell you not to try and get it back. In at least some of the cases the people I know have had success by showing up with a group and intimidating the people in possession of the stolen goods (not usually the original thief) into handing it over.