[HeyLaughingBoy]

The police won't help you recover your stolen property: it's not their job.

That very much depends on the department, the particular officer, and how you present your case.

I had a cop in the very high-crime town I was living in take my statement about having seen my stolen bike ridden by someone and then go looking for that person and find him.

Like you said, he didn't have to do that, but he was probably not busy and I had previously reported it stolen. Didn't hurt that he was coincidentally the same one who had come to my apt when I reported the bike (and other stuff) stolen.

What I'm getting at is that you shouldn't assume the police won't help. You have nothing to lose by asking them.