Property Identification
Virden Police Department
There are many steps that citizens can take to protect themselves from being victimized by burglars as is recommended here. Thoroughly marking property, recording serial numbers, and compiling photo or video footage of one’s property are just a few of these ways. The Sun Times posts a guide about labeling property with an identification number that is specific to you, such as your Driver’s License number. This makes it easier for law enforcement to identify recovered property. Make sure any labels are in an unnoticeable area, but not so obscure as to be unlikely to be seen upon a thorough examination. We also recommend utilizing either video or still image camera photos while conducting a walk-through of your home. This ensures images of items of value are recorded. This will provide a visual record for you to give to law enforcement and your insurance company in the event a fire damages or destroys your home, or you are the victim of a burglary. Frequently after such an event people are unable to recall all of the items lost. This record becomes quite helpful in such events. Modern smart-phones are in everyone’s purses and pockets nowadays. Snap a quick photo of each new item. Many items have serial and model numbers on the store packaging. If you snap a picture of the label when you purchase the item this will make identification very easy. Law enforcement frequently recovers property from burglars who freely admit taking the property. However, without the proper information provided by the victims, we frequently are unable to return the property to its rightful owner. This is why, when responding to burglaries or thefts, law enforcement will ask for serial and model numbers of your missing items. Armed with this information, they can enter it into a nationwide database. In the event of its recovery we can promptly return it to its rightful owner.