Gravette police officer new service

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

GRAVETTE - Have you experienced any of these happenings?

You decided it was time to mow the grass one last time before frost and found someone had stolen your riding mower.

Your TV set was knocked out and destroyed by a lightning bolt.

Someone swiped that new camera or iPod from your car while you were shopping.

That precious diamond solitaire that you treasured since it was a gift from your husband turned up missing.

You were cutting fi rewood, left your chainsaw and when you returned it was nowhere to be found.

Andrew Bower, Gravette chief of police, is encouraging all residents to use a free online system to help keep track of valuables, and even invaluable personal property, such as that mentioned.

The system, “ReportIt,” is part of LeadsOnline, a system that works with police across the nation to track and recover stolen property.

“The Gravette Police Department uses LeadsOnline to help track and recover stolen property which could be anything from jewelry to sporting equipment to electronics computers, cameras and other items,” Bower said.

The system even allows officers to track designer clothing, collectibles and other items which have invaluable personal worth the chief adds.

The Gravette Police Department pays an annual fee, $1,200, to be a part of the system which allows citizens to obtain the service at no cost.

Chief Bower said the Arkansas Legislature, at its last session, passed an act which requires pawn shopsand pawnbrokers to keep a detailed record of each transaction, including personal information by the person making the transaction, and to electronically upload records to assist in the investigation of crime.

Cardinal Corner Pawnshop in Gravette complies with the state statute, the police chief said.

“‘ReportIt’ is a free, secure, online service allowing citizens to record serial numbers and upload images for phones, electronics and other valuables,” he explained. “Should those items ever be stolen, the Gravette Police say having the information will go a long way in accurately and quickly identifying your property. Citizens can access the site at reportit leadsonline.com at no cost.”

The system allows officers to search for the items using a variety of parameters, including item descriptions and serialnumbers. When an item is sold to a pawn or secondhand shop, the product information is entered in the LeadsOnline database and is immediately viewable by participating law enforcement agencies across the country.

Citizens can store an unlimited number of serial numbers, item descriptions, even pictures and scans of receipts, so items may be more easily identified in the event of theft This record may also come in handy when fi ling claims with insurance providers in the event of loss. Citizens wanting to participate in “ReportIt” can register for the free service at reportit leadsonline.com and begin building their personal property inventory list.

To sign up for the service access reportit.leadsonline com, and you will receive instruction on how to proceed. You provide your own password, allowing you to update or add to your fi le.

News, Pages 6 on 10/09/2013