Secure your gear!

  • Published
  • By 673d Security Forces Squadron
  • News Release
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Recently the 673d Security Forces Squadron has filed reports for property stolen from the RV storage lots on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

If you haven't checked on your equipment and property stored within the storage lots recently, you should make time to inventory and ensure your items are protected during the winter months.

Here are some recommendations you should use to identify and protect your property against theft and help law enforcement officials with recovery of lost or stolen property.
First, identify your property by recording serial numbers.

You'd be surprised at how many victims think they may have a serial number buried in their files, yet fail to find it.

Photographs are an additional technique to help in property recovery - but a clear serial number is the number one tool.

Secondly, secure your property, either by lock, cable or chain but ensure that the thief has to break it to take it.

Many opportunist-thieves have been thwarted by a locked item, and many crimes have occurred because the victim neglected to secure their property, making it an easy target.
Nothing can stop a determined thief, but hardening the target (locks) and recording serial numbers can go a long way to aiding in the prevention of crime and recovery of your precious property.

Having a serial number and complete property description on hand when the first police report is filed (at the scene or at the Base Defense Operations Center) is important.
After a crime report is prepared and filed by a reporting officer, clerical employees will enter any serial numbers into the National Crime Information Center.

Other officers, coming upon serial numbered items during the course of their duties may check the serial numbers through NCIC and discover the item they are holding was reported stolen.

That means you, as a victim, will most likely get your property back.

Without a serial number, chances are slim to none your property will be recovered.
Can it happen without a serial number? Yes, but it is rare.

If you have an item without a serial number, think about etching or engraving an identifying label on the item.

Usually a name alone is useless for computerized records although a hand-search based on a full name may further an investigation.

While follow-up reporting of a serial number may work for you, the sooner you make the report and submit the serial number(s) of stolen items, the better.

Sometimes, through inefficiency and neglect, the follow-up report may never be entered into NCIC.

You stand a much better chance of recovery if the initial crime report has the serial number of the stolen item included.

Pawn shops are often believed to be a good source for thieves to get rid of stolen property.

Most jurisdictions require pawn shop operators to report all transactions to the local authorities. This procedure works best when everyone follows the rules.

Unfortunately, some don't. There's no harm in canvassing pawn shops and notifying them about your stolen property.

But if you come across your stolen property in a pawn shop, ask them about it.

Then immediately notify the local police department and ask them to intervene.

Each jurisdiction may be different, but in many cases, the stolen property you've discovered in a pawn shop is yours, not theirs and they will surrender it to you after conducting their own investigation.

Ownership of property does not transfer to the pawn shop merely because they paid some thief for it.

Still, be cautious when dealing with these types of property recoveries.

Additionally, you should make a list of your belongings (be sure to keep receipts, especially for expensive items). Be sure to update this list periodically, especially after large purchases.

Keep copies of your inventory list and receipts in a safe deposit box or with a friend. (This is also important in the event of a house fire.)

Photographing or video recording your possessions are convenient ways to keep a record of what you own.

Engrave your property and valuables with an identification or mark to deter burglary and to prove ownership should the article be stolen and recovered by the police.

Consider insurance coverage that will protect items not at your home.

You may need to purchase additional coverage to protect special items.