Stolen equipment database for the public?
Why don??t all of the oem Survey Equipment companies have an online database to check if used equipment is stolen? The method of ??ask the dealer? isn??t workable, considering we are asking someone to assist on a sale that they aren??t making. Obviously there is no perfect system, but one that allowed victims of theft to list stolen items managed by the major Brands - accessible online?
Yeah, I really like this idea, and thinking the best way to start would be with a registry. You register your equipment and you can mark it as stolen, if that happens. You could register when it is stolen, or you could register when you purchase it. Serial numbers would be collected into the database, but NOT SHOWN to anyone (except you). But, people could search for a specific serial number and see if there are any results without us showing the actual serial number.
Down the road a bit, after getting some registry items in there, I could likely provide a system of reports, which might actually help you with an insurance claim. You'd be able to show when it was registered here and all of the details.
What information about the equipment would you think appropriate to store in a private database? As of right now, I'm thinking:
- Equipment title (what YOU call it)
- Description
- Manufacturer
- Model number
- Serial number
- Date of purchase
- Purchased new or used
- Owner contact details (name, company, address, etc.)
- Equipment location (i.e. if you have multiple office locations)
- Photos
- Notes and comments
The serial numbers would ONLY be available to the owners that register the equipment. The only way you'd be able to determine a match would be if you had a specific serial number to search for, and we'd show you if there were any matches without divulging any personal information. You could then potentially contact that person.
Does this sound like a neato idea?
Sounds like a good idea but a thought. There are many different ways to call a rose. If there is a way to standardise naming convention then it would be easier to identify should the need arises.
On a side note: it may be interesting to see where the stolen equipment travels to to be sold later.
@sireath Good thinking... It might be good to have another field or two to help keep things more standardized. I was thinking that maybe I could verify the names and numbers with manufacturers as they come in. Not sure the best way to do that yet, but yes, consistency would be key.
Thanks for the input!
it may be interesting to see where the stolen equipment travels to to be sold later.
By all means, add a comment field for investigation progress, recovery, insurance settlement, etc.
This is a comment, FROM the back pasture. (Please don't assume that I have front pasture perspective!)
A simple database, whereby the victim can enter what he had stolen. The victim may buy a used system, or a new system, and the full description may not even be available to him.
Many of us have HDBU syndrome.
(Head Down Butt Up)
Meaning, we work hard, and are not fully cognisant of our serial numbers. But, we can get them, after finding our papers associated with our gear, after some digging. Sure, put lots of search fields, but allow simpletons. To use it, via minimum information. I'd think that the serial numbers would be essential.
It could be a "work in progress", adding fields as needed.
But, please categorize my comments as maybe not fully thought through, or such.
I'm not in the "online forum business". You are. I'm way far from the tall stool you are on.
Simple.
Person who lost gear, MUST provide to you a few things. Valid and current email. Correct name. Pls number, if applicable, etc.
Make it so that if I find a set of gear in a pawn shop, I can search your database real fast, by brand, Ser num, or basic data.
The goal of re-uniting stolen gear with legit owners, has to be maintained. Law enforcement, FBI, DEA, all can use it.
Also, the relationship of the possessor, should be posted. I can see somebody finding some gear on the side of the road, and posting what he found.
Nate
This is a fantastic idea. As a fan of the older gear, I am quite often trolling Fleabay for the parts that I need and regularly come across suspect stuff. Leica MyWorld allows you to temporarily register the item in your name to see if it was reported stolen, but does nothing else to help you.
Fleabay, on the other hand, does not let you report sellers for trying to sell stolen equipment. Only law enforcement agencies have that option. There have been a couple of occasions where the stolen item has still been for sale, so I have warned people about it here.
Good idea. Me likey-likey.
Here is a link the the Florida surveyors association crime page. Maybe something like this but on a national level?
https://www.fsms.org/crime-center2
