June 1, I awoke to find that someone had broken into my garage and backyard and stolen my son's bike, his friend's bike and some tools. We filed our police report but don't expect to see the bikes returned. As I talked to others, I was amazed at how many bikes have been stolen. My son saved his birthday money, gift money and dog-sitting pay for one year to buy his bike and he was very proud of it -- a chrome Haro Backtrail X1.
As a single parent who solely supports my family, it was a luxury I could never give him. He bought it two months ago and locked it up every night in our garage, except this last Saturday night when he had it taken apart and hadn't finished putting on the front tire. Not only was our sense of security violated, but what bothers me most is my son now looks at the world with different eyes. He's a bit more suspicious and distrusting of others and that is sad. And I can tell that he is hurt.
To those of you who took it, first I want to say thank you for not being destructive with my property, but what you did was wrong. My son worked hard and saved for a long time to earn that bike. As you ride it, you will always know you didn't earn it, and I pray that your conscience will not let you forget this.
This bike won't be replaced. It cost too much to justify buying another one. To parents, if your child suddenly has a different bike, don't just assume a friend gave it to them or they got it for a real good deal. Check it out. Call the serial numbers into the police department.
Trust me, it's better that they get caught at stealing a bike, versus the next step up, cars, or breaking and entering into a house.
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There are some great programs out there to help kids get their lives back on track. Please check your kids' bikes. There are many that have been stolen and summer is just getting started.
Dina Rae Geiszler
Moorhead
