[manigandham]

Police aren't magic. Your anecdotal experience is unfortunate but it doesn't make them a "worthless institution". Property crime is very minor, and the resources it would take to systematically track down the thieves in your example is far more than the damages caused and would interfere with other investigations in far more serious crimes.

[cookieswumchorr]

Property crime is not minor, it's what the common people paying taxes actually expect law enforcement to deal with. Like, being able to leave your bike and find it where you left it, you know

[manigandham]

People expect law enforcement to deal with everything, especially if it personally affects them.

The point is that property crime is still minor in comparison to how serious a crime is, for example homicide. It also means that resources will be less available as a result.