University Police recommends online system to help citizens keep track of valuables

Western Washington University Police Department (WWUPD) encourages all residents to use a free online system that will help keep track of valuable --- and invaluable --- personal property. ReportIt is a free, secure online service allowing citizens to record serial numbers and upload images for phones, electronics, and other valuables. Should those items ever be stolen, WWUPD says having the information will go a long way in accurately and quickly identifying your property. Citizens can access the site at reportit.leadsonline.com. “Often, when someone loses, or has stolen, valuable personal property, our efforts to locate and return the property are hampered because the owner can’t find the serial number or other identifying information. This has been the case in some of the recent burglaries that have victimized our students. ReportIt provides the citizen with an easy and free way to record and save information about personal property which will help police recover and return the property if it is ever stolen.” explains University Police Chief Randy Stegmeier. The ReportIt service is a part of LeadsOnline, the online system that works with police across the country to track and recover stolen property. WWUPD uses LeadsOnline to help track and recover stolen property ---- everything from jewelry to sporting equipment to electronics, computers, cameras, and other items such as designer clothing, collectibles, and other items with invaluable personal worth. The system allows investigators to search for the items using a variety of parameters, including item descriptions and serial numbers. 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. Most Law Enforcement agencies in Whatcom County, including University Police and Bellingham Police, have used LeadsOnline since 2010 as part of a coordinated system called Whatcom Exchange Network (WENET), and have reported many successes using the online investigations system. Using LeadsOnline, police have recovered thousands of dollars in stolen property for Whatcom County residents. Recently, the LeadsOnline system helped University officers recover a bicycle stolen from a student on campus. Other recovered items have included valuable jewelry, cameras, construction equipment, iPods, tools, computers and GPS units. With information provided by LeadsOnline, police track down thieves, develop leads in numerous cases and make arrests. Citizens can store an unlimited number of serial numbers, item descriptions, 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 filing claims with insurance providers in the event of loss. Citizens wanting to participate in Report It can register for the free service at reportit.leadsonline.com and begin building their personal property inventory list. For more information and instructions visit www.ps.wwu.edu/reportit/