Originally Posted by baiskeli
O.K Totally off topic but (rant warning...)
They also do this with cars. I have a huge problem with the whole idea because unless there is a rash of specific crimes in an area what is happening is rather than policing society they are policing morality.
I'll bring it up on topic. Overseas, the US Army Military Police made it a practice to confiscate (i.e. steal) any unlocked bicycles they found on post or in housing areas. Proof of ownership and a big f-ing lecture from a know nothing "authority" was required to get it back for the owner or more often the child's parent. This was in the absence of any bicycle theft problem. The only thieves were the MP's grabbing bikes wherever they could snatch them when the owner (usually a child) wasn't looking.
The local officials were intent on showing their ability to hassle people in the name of enforcing the law and "helping" bicyclists.