By Dave Begel Contributing Writer Published Jul 23, 2012 at 9:40 AM

Three out of the last five weekends I have now been robbed. Not at gunpoint or anything. But my garage has been broken in to and they've made off with several items.

First it was two bikes, then a bike, then another couple of bikes. Nothing too serious and nothing too valuable. Each time the cops show up and take down the information and file a report.

I had one neighbor who found out about it who brought me a keyless alarm system to mount on my garage. Ostensibly if a burglar (or a deer or big cat or a homeless man) walks through the light beam an alarm will sound on the receiver next to my bed.

It seems like a lot of effort for something that may or may not work. And if it does, what am I supposed to do? Run out of the house in my PJs with a kids' baseball bat in my hand and challenge whoever is out there? Somehow that whole picture seems a little far-fetched.

These guys also help themselves to money. I keep a little container full of change in my car, easy to see and access. For me it's on the rare occasion that I think of plugging a parking meter. But for these guys, they manage to get the three or four bucks in change.

They used to break my window to get in, but I got sick of that so I leave my car unlocked so they can take the change but leave the windows alone. They never do any other damage.

The question, of course, is what to do short of moving to rural Waukesha County or farm house in Kenosha. I'm not moving. I love living in the city. And I'm not about to try and break the head of kids (and I'm pretty sure they are kids) who are up to mischief.

This one is a tough call.

Dave Begel Contributing Writer

With a history in Milwaukee stretching back decades, Dave tries to bring a unique perspective to his writing, whether it's sports, politics, theater or any other issue.

He's seen Milwaukee grow, suffer pangs of growth, strive for success and has been involved in many efforts to both shape and re-shape the city. He's a happy man, now that he's quit playing golf, and enjoys music, his children and grandchildren and the myriad of sports in this state. He loves great food and hates bullies and people who think they are smarter than everyone else.

This whole Internet thing continues to baffle him, but he's willing to play the game as long as OnMilwaukee.com keeps lending him a helping hand. He is constantly amazed that just a few dedicated people can provide so much news and information to a hungry public.

Despite some opinions to the contrary, Dave likes most stuff. But he is a skeptic who constantly wonders about the world around him. So many questions, so few answers.