Point being, no matter how tough you are, when it comes to property that you care about, you err on the side of the law. I'd rather have my bike back, free, clear and legal than beat the #$%* out of some punk, not get my bike back and end up in jail and targeted for revenge if it's gang related.
The cops are usually pretty cooperative if they think you find a VIN/Serial number in possession of the thief. Yes, it's true that if you have nothing to go on that it's a lost cause, you can file a report and probably nothing will come of it. But if you've got a solid lead you have a better chance getting your stuff back with police help than without. Period.
You can beat the #$%* out of the guy at a later date if it really matters that much to you.
I was also "security" at a bar (we didn't glorify it, we called it "bouncer" or "door guy"). What I found is that 99% of people will avoid confrontation at all costs. The other 1% is .9% people who will try to back up their talk and get flattened and .1% people who are actually capable of brawling. It always sucked having to toss a guy out who was being belligerent and beating his chest. You never knew if he was .9%er or .1%er. One night when I wasn't working a disgruntled Marine beat the #$%* of the other bouncer and three large regulars who were tougher than I am. One guy had to have his ear sewed back together. I laughed at them but secretly I was glad not to be there.
CPD wont do a damn thing. The night I got shot at the policewomen told me to calm down and fill out a report. They didn't even send a car and I told them exactly where the guy was. I can imagine the look on their faces when I tell them I'm going to recover my stolen bike that I found on craigslist and can they come with me.
You are right about the 1% in certain clubs but I work in a small inner city urban club so that rule is a little different. Picture blaring rap music, drug dealers and thugs. I am not saying I am the ultimate bad ass but I hold my own.
When I was 12 a group of kids stole my 80's Huffy beach cruiser. That was my BABY! I seen an older teenager at the store and followed him home. Him and about 5-6 of his buddies where standing around and the bike was on the curb. I didn't want to risk losing it so I confronted him. I knocked him down and took off on my bike like a bat out of hell.
The guys came back and tried to jump me in front of my house. Lucky for me I had my louisville slugger in the grass! After that we had a few more incidents but eventually they backed down.
That was really dumb and I really could have gotten hurt but I got my bike back!
Talking about how big you are and how many guns you have is the textbook definition of chest-beating, plain and simple. I don't think pointing it out was unnecessary. I'll admit that linking to an article about it may have been overkill, though.
I'm glad you accept that resorting to violence may not always be the best course of action for everyone.
In most cases there is usually an alternative to violence. It always strikes a nerve with me when someone steals someone else's property. Especially considering how much work he put into it!
I am not a huge fan of the justice system. Too many people just keep commiting crimes, going to jail, coming out and doing it all over again. If someone stands up to these #$%*s then maybe they will stop.
