Crime: Preparation Prepare -- To make ready, usually for a specific purpose. Webster’s New World Dictionary. In a recent conversation with a Police Officer, the topic of identification of stolen articles arose. The Officer related the interview of a recent burglary victim. A paraphrase of the interview follows. Victim: “They stole my $400 I-Pod!” Officer: “What color was it?” Victim: “Uh, I dunno.” Officer: “Do you have the serial number?” Victim: “Uh, no.” Officer: “Do you have a receipt?” Victim: “No, but I got a good deal when I bought it!” The likelihood of that burglary victim ever seeing the stolen I-Pod again is virtually nil. Even if a burglary suspect were arrested with I-Pods in his possession, making a positive identification of a particular unit belonging to the victim—without receipt, serial number or even color---well you get the idea. A burglary, fire, flood or other catastrophic event causes loss and damage of property. Victims of these events would like to recover their property and/or make insurance claims for reasonable monetary compensation for the damage or loss. The victim will need to list the item(s), provide identifying information (i.e., serial numbers, model numbers, descriptions, etc.) and perhaps some proof of ownership (i.e., receipts, titles, photographs, etc.) “I’ll know my gun when I see it!” That doesn’t help much. If Phoenix Police arrest a suspect with a dozen guns in his possession, a burglary victim in Safford will not be called to look over the guns for a possible identification. This is logistically impossible. Besides, how may drives would you make to Phoenix, Tucson or Sierra Vista before deciding purchase of a new gun is easier and less time consuming? However, with a serial number Phoenix PD can match the gun to your burglary and you only need make one drive. Also, the suspect can be charged with possession of stolen property. Perhaps the suspect would be charged with trafficking in stolen property; maybe even your burglary. Other property might be found if warrants or other leads can be developed. If the Police cannot prove any of the guns were stolen, no charges related to stolen property can be brought. The Police might be forced to return the guns (perhaps even your gun) if no wrong doing can be established. Recently a man wanted me to value his stolen firearm to make an insurance claim. He knew it was a Smith & Wesson .38 (“in good shape, with a long barrel”) but could not provide the model, serial number, age or other specific information. No one could responsibly venture a valuation based on such limited information. Is the insurance company going to pay out $300 or more based on such a vague description? Unlikely. Preparation is necessary. First: Identify the valuables in your home, vehicles and other places. I-Pods, computers, jewelry, firearms, cameras, antiques, coins—anything which could be stolen or destroyed in a fire or flood. Second: Determine makes, models, serial numbers and other identifying information for each item. Third: Record the locations, makes, models, serial numbers and other information about each item. Write down pertinent information in a ledger book or, preferably, enter the information into a spreadsheet or like database on a computer. Some items, such as hand tools, certain electronics, furniture, etc. do not have serial numbers. An electric vibrating engraver can solve that problem. Engraving one’s social security number on a camera/wrench/drill motor may not be wise. A driver’s license number is easier for Police to check than a Social Security Number. Besides, why provide this information to thieves? Even initials engraved on sockets help. A Sheriff recently described sorting through a large number of tools seized from a drug dealer. Those with initials on them were easily sorted out and subsequently returned to owners. Many tools without markings could not be reunited with owners. Please, do NOT engrave driver’s license numbers or such on firearms or collectibles!! This significantly reduces value and forever mars the appearance of collectibles. At least put such markings in places hidden from view. Taking pictures, to supplement a written list, is an excellent idea. Using a video camera to pan over various parts of the house (car, etc.) then zoom in on particular items while verbally reading off models and serial numbers is an effective means to establish possession, condition and identification of valuables. An insurance agent might have difficulty arguing your antique table wasn’t worth $1500 before the fire when your video shows close-ups of various parts in flawless condition six months earlier. Don’t forget titles, receipts, invoices and other important documents. One may need to dedicate a day to assembling all the various papers associated with documenting ownership of all the things we possess. However, this might be time well spent. Imagine putting these papers together AFTER the burglary or fire. Make copies of the records. Computer files and digital pictures can be copied onto CD’s for easy storage and retrieval. I would suggest at least three copies. Keep one copy of the video and/or spreadsheet/ledger in the house. A second copy should be kept off-site in a safe deposit box, a trusted relative’s house or like location. If your house burns to the ground, all your records would go up in flames. I would suggest placing a third copy in a package or envelope and mail it to yourself. Keep the postmarked package sealed and secured in a place safe from theft, fire or flood. Maybe a fire resistant safe or lock box hidden around the house—or in a bank safe-deposit box. The postmark serves as legal dating should establishing ownership be necessary. The Police might prove in court you owned the baseball card in question on a certain date—before the burglary. Insurance companies might have difficulty disputing items were “added” to the list after a fire took place to inflate a claim. Keeping multiple copies in multiple safe places is a good idea. Quick, what is the license plate number of your car? What is the license plate number of your spouses’ car? If your spouse were out of town and his/her car were stolen, could you provide Police a good description with license plate number? Type pertinent information for various vehicles on two or three small cards, than laminate the cards and place the cards where you could access them should you need the information quickly. And speed is of the essence. Recently a man left his truck, engine running and doors unlocked, in front of a Safford tire shop while he walked in to check status on a repair. He walked out, perhaps two minutes later, to find the truck gone. Fortunately the theft, along with pertinent information, were reported to the Police quickly. The truck was stopped approximately two hours later outside Douglas, AZ. In another half-hour the truck would have been in Mexico—never to be seen again. Should your $400 I-Pod be stolen, hopefully the Police interview will be more like this: Victim: “They stole my $400 I-Pod!” Officer: “What color was it?” Victim: “Red, here’s a picture.” Officer: “Do you have the serial number?” Victim: “Yes, here in my ledger.” Officer: “Do you have a receipt?” Victim: “I’ll get it from my file.” |
