COLUMN: About the ECSO serial number registration service

Submitted photo.

Ellis County Sheriff Johnny Brown.

We talked last week about the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office’s crime prevention programs and wanted to expand on what we said about the free serial number registration service available to you. As you know, serial numbers play an important role in the investigation of criminal activity. The recovery of even one stolen item with a recorded serial number can help investigators solve multiple burglaries.

This week, we arrested two burglars and recovered a number of items, which we’re able to return to their rightful owners because we were able to identify them. Help us help you by keeping records of your serial numbers.

Serial numbers can be found on everything from televisions and stereos to game systems, computers, firearms, kitchen appliances, camcorders, air conditioners, cell phones, cameras and numerous other items. Taking the time to write these numbers down can assist us with recovering your property in the event it’s stolen from you.

You may have items that don’t have serial numbers. In that case, use an engraver or permanent marker to place your initials or some other alpha/numeric-type identifier that you keep a record of on your items. It’s also a good idea to take photographs of jewelry and your items that don’t have serial numbers.

You can access this free service by going to our website at www.elliscountysheriff.com and clicking on the Serial Number Registry link on the left-hand rail. That will take you to our Serial Number Registry page where you can read more about the program and click a link where you can sign up.

We hope you will help spread the word about this free property inventory system which is available for the community’s use and let your friends and neighbors know they can register their serial numbers and protect their valuables in this manner. This service, which can be used for insurance purposes, has a maximum of 100 items; however, it can be extended to more if an email is sent to the registry’s technical support, as explained on its website.

Each account’s information is password protected and accessed via a secure socket layer network connection, which is the same type of connection used when accessing an online bank account. The system utilizes the same high-level security measures used by financial institutions and government agencies in protecting the information that is entered.

Anyone who experiences the theft of an item will still need to file a report with law enforcement so an investigation can be launched. Law enforcement doesn’t have access to the individual accounts set up under this system so, should your property go missing, you’ll need to print out your information from any computer with Internet access and then give that to your investigator.

As always, the Sheriff’s Office asks that you keep our military and service personnel in our thoughts and prayers. We enjoy all of our rights and freedoms because of their service and safekeeping of our great nation. Y’all have a Blessed Week from your Sheriff’s Office.