b) I know for a while they sold a thing for bikes to identify them and get stolen bikes back. But I am not sure the system really works and I think it's on a sticker. And can't you just peel off any sticker @_!
c) Cops suck hard at things they find inconvenient to them. I didn't know the reports were that high. I think it's because you're actively messing with a person's means of transportation, that they get reported so much. But nowadays cops don't show up for car accidents. So it's really hit or miss in general.
d) I loved imagining this inconspicuous scrapper-esq van that whisks away all the stolen bikes with the little punk ass thieves thinking they got you so they moved on to the next one. Maybe in you figuring out their bs they might move their bike-hotel to another space.