San Francisco authorities want thieves to steal their bikes. The New York Times reports that expensive "bait bikes" equipped with GPS devices have been installed throughout the city in the hope that someone will try to steal them. Should that happen, the on-board tracking systems will then allow the police to locate, apprehend, and tweet about those responsible. Aside from posting images of arrestees and suspects, Officer Matt Friedman, who heads the de facto anti bike-theft unit in Park Station, uses Twitter to educate and talk to the public. San Francisco's anti-theft program isn't a new concept, however. Similar systems have been effectively utilized on college campuses and in cities like Vancouver and Sacramento.

Normally when I see this I would feel sorry for the owner. Not this time. #thankYou4TakingOurBaitBike pic.twitter.com/MhcpkbC4UP — SFPD Anti Bike Theft (@SFPDBikeTheft) April 30, 2014