You know the old cliche, What’s good for the goose is good for the gander? Well, in matters of securing property like TVs, game systems, computers and printers, this couldn’t be truer. (FYI, the tags are an important warning, but it’s the stolen items’ serial numbers the police need to fight crime.)
Enterprise Asset Management
Government agencies, military contractors, major corporations, huge manufactures, giant universities, colleges and hospital systems are all obligated to safeguard capital assets by registering serial numbers and marking property with asset tags. These institutions have to do this to protect property, employees, investors and taxpayers. It’s a sound business practice that goes back decades.
wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterprise_asset_management
Why Don’t We Do This at Home?
I have a theory. It’s actually bases on research from the U.S. Department of Justice conducted between 1974 and 1978 (gao.gov/assets/130/126467.pdf). The theory is this. If all home owners would take a few quick minutes to tag portable property, record the serial numbers and post warning signs, the number of burglaries and thefts would greatly decrease. Today, fewer than 10% of burglaries are ever solved. It’s thought that half the time, citizens don’t even bother reporting the crime.
fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2010/crime-in-the-u.s.-2010/clearances-figure
Think about it. Why don’t university computer labs, that stay open 24/7, get routinely ripped off? Is it because of a security guard? No! That isn’t why. You can fool a security guard or mug him or her. Video cameras? No! That isn’t why. Every jailbird learns from the other inmates that video footage will never lead to a conviction. Haven’t you noticed how criminals just look at the security cameras?
mypropertyidregistry.com/2018/04/01/a-picture-is-worth-nothing
While those are all good things to have, the largest deterrent, that every good thief knows, is that recorded serial numbers provided promptly to the police, can lead to a solid arrest and conviction (mypropertyidregistry.com/2018/01/13/national-crime-information-center-ncic).
For decades, that’s why law enforcement professionals have been recommending the miniaturized version of what corporations like Google and Disney do. It’s called Operation ID, and My Property ID Registry has simplified the strategy, making it easy and online.
mypropertyidregistry.com/2018/11/07/police-endorse-operation-id
If It Works So Well, Why Isn’t It Being Used?
So, if the strategy works so well, why don’t homeowners and small businesses register and mark property, and then post warning signs on doors and windows, like the FBI and local law enforcement agencies want them to do? That is the million dollar question. Sure, it’s not fun to register your stuff. It isn’t exactly sexy or glamourous. It’s not the most convenient strategy either. It is, however, important.
mypropertyidregistry.com/2018/09/23/100-million-research
In fact, the cost of doing nothing opens you up to several more unfun things. My Property ID Registry can’t promise that installing our system will be fun, but we can promise it can be efficient, and that it will eliminate problems in the long run. Not everything in life is simple and easy.
mypropertyidregistry.com/2018/08/24/register-personal-property
