I let my bike get stolen

Actually, it was my wife's bike--a purple/blue mountain bike with an inch or two of front suspension. REally , it was too small for me. But I could ride it anyway, and it was better than not having one. Funny thing we just got it back. My wife had left it at a house that she moved out of for 2 two years. Her friends were "borrowing" it. I went to pick it up a couple weeks ago. Problem was, it wouldn't fit in my car. So, I called my brother and had him meet me at my house. I actually drove it home, about five miles, which for me was quite a strenuous trip because I'd not ridden a bike in years. But it felt good, and I felt like I used to feel when I went on bike trips as a child. So, I was glad to have this bike back. There was no room for the bike in the apartment. So I leaned it against our front step and left it there. Now, I'm sure I was asking for it. But I didn't lock it. Why not? 1. Because I've never had anything stolen in my neighborhood, or broken into for that matter. No CDs, no CD player, no laptops left in unlocked cars, no nothing. We live on a "no outlet" block and I just figured that the kind of rifraff who steal things just didn't ever bother coming through our neighborhood. Plus, I kind of had this sense that if it happens, theft happens locally, i.e., you steal from your neighbors. And because our neighborhood seemed rather innocuous and safe with little kids all over the place and nothing ever getting stolen or broken into, I had a false sense of security. 2. there was a chain on the bike, but my wife didn't remember the combination because she hadn't used the bike in so long. 3. I was too lazy to go and get a new chain for the bike. 4. I'm convinced that chains barely even constitute a deterent because a simple wrench or wire cutter can cut through most security chains. therefore, I wasn't convinced of the usefulness of a chain.

When I walked out my apartment door this morning, I noticed it immediately, and my heart sunk with sadness and anger as I realized instantly what had happened.

I want to call the police and report it, but I can't endure the idea of a cop telling me there's nothing they can do and why in the heck didn't I put a lock on the stupid thing to begin with.

You know what. I've realized that you can do yourself a lot of good by failing to be noticed. People won't steal something they can't see. Cops won't pull you over if you don't catch their attention. Break the speed limit, if you must, but break it with a group of cars.