Teddy Bear Thefts Mark A New Low

Bocian's mom, Katherine, told me she figured someone would mess with the bears and said she'd like to see the display moved to a museum or put on a cart and rolled through neighborhoods, perhaps even Artscape this summer, "so everyone can see it."

After the cops left, Armstead talked to mothers bringing their children back from nearby Margaret Brent Elementary School who had heard kids talking about and eyeing the bears. He marched over to the school and told me the vice principal would make an announcement in the morning: return the bears and charges will not be pursued.

In return, Armstead told me he would send mentors to the school to help the children. He said he's inviting 50 students to an Orioles game.

Faith Bocian told me that a bear went missing the day she put the display up and that she noticed two more missing a few days ago. Now four more are gone. But she was happy to hear that a city cop not only took a report, but that he paused to contemplate the exhibit and remember the dead.

Art is supposed to provoke feelings and challenge the mind. Our leaders are calling on all of us to be more accountable and responsible. We mourn the names on the bears, we are angered over their loss and we hope the people who took them heed our leaders' words.