I think ljo28's post does relate in that our police and enforcement officials in general are reactive (only) in the best of situations, and as ljo28 has experienced, not in all situations. They are in no way proactive - this is why roofs are allowed to collapse, fines go uncollected and penalties unenforced. It unfortunately pays to break the law in this town, because chances are you won't be pursued, and if you are, you probably won't be punished. Just as Freudenheim or the people who stole the bike.

Crime is just a matter of fact in the city. It is unfortunate that we live in a city with a particularly unresponsive and apathetic police force to exacerbate the problem. We have a police force that is more interested in the size of their paychecks than they are with protecting and serving the public. Just try to talk to a police officer sometime, try to get them to help you when you are in need, and you will find that it just won't happen. I had my car broken into last year off Allen. I saw a Police car sitting in the Towne parking lot, with the officer inside reading a book. I knocked on his window and stated that my car was robbed and I needed help. He said, call 9-11, I'm busy. I said that I didn't have my cell phone and asked if he could call for another car, he said "no, go find a pay phone" and then he raised his window and returned to his book. This incident is on file with the Citizen's line.

I think that the Buffalo Police are a limiting factor in bringing people back to the city. I am starting to see the merit in Surveillance cameras, given the ineptitude of the human officers, we need a mechanism for recording the incidents against citizens as a record of how inept our officers really are.

What ljo28 wrote about is related a little, at least indirectly.

Jersey-Richmond is near Allentown. High crime decreases, at least a little, the upscale tenant demand from what it'd otherwise be. That in turn lowers potential future rents a little from what they'd otherwise be, which has some affect on risk-reward trade off for investment in expensive rehab projects. I realize Allentown and Jersey-Richmond are in-demand areas and rents have had healthy growth around there, but there are some people who don't live there due to crime.

ljo28, did you ask the police if one of the crime cameras might've gotten video of the thief? Long shot that it could help recover your bike even if it was recorded but maybe worth asking in case it might lead to some clue. Although rarely, every once in a while they do find stolen goods.

This Spring in Clarence someone went up and down Thomson taking things from unlocked cars. Got my friend who left stuff in theirs. 15 years of car ownership, no break ins from city living. Within 6 months of moving to Lancaster (for a short period of time) car broken into and audio equipment stolen. Lancaster Police were pretty ho-hum too. I would expected more in Lancaster since they are not dealing with ills of poverty/murder/etc like the city.

I don't care where you live/shop/etc. Don't leave items in plain site. The only time I am comfortable locking the bicycle is when I have a seat where I can see it for the most part. Were you using a cable lock? They are worthless and nothing a hacksaw can not make short work out of. Get the big steel U-lock, take off your quick release front wheel and insert it in there too. If you have a quick release seat, take it inside with you. I've done it the past 15 years regarless of the locality I am in. there are jerks everywhere.

We can keep running or push back. A huge thanks to all those who push back and deal with the more pervasive intial issues to make it more inviting for others to join in.

if you KNOW it's way offtopic, then why did you post it?

Yes, lgo128, crime is probably the greatest detriment. You are just blocks away from the perpetrators in a high crime, high poverty city that is on the brink of a rebirth. Consider yourself a pioneer!

While not about the topic it is a VERY important point about the city and its ability to attract and KEEP people here. The good news is that most crimes are really petty stuff and often preventable. (really need to keep important or valuable objects, this includes pennies and nickels, out of sight in cars.). But this is something that many people don't know or think about because they never had to deal with people who are in a desperate state. Whether trying to feed their hunger or addictions even penny is a step forward for them and they don't care about someone else's car window in the process.

The cops and entire police department are a worthless joke. I am sure people will get all up and arms about it but it is the sad truth. There are some good new cops that do a great job but many union slugs that could care less. They got their pay raise and are happy to coast the rest of the time they have before retiring on a huge pension in the burbs.