Stolen/Lost

[GTADiver]

I think a lot of us know someone who has had gear stolen. I was just thinking we could use a thread on this board to list the serial numbers of stolen regs, tanks etc and a contact for the item. Just yesterday I saw a tank that was for sale in a Pawn shop for $50 that was only two years old. I think the thing must be stolen but there is no registry of stolen scuba gear that anyone can look at. If the tank was stolen in Kingston the TO police will not have a record of it. What do you boardmembers think about this idea?
Theoretically, a dive shop could check for gear they have suspicions about.

 

[Marvintpa]

It'd be kinda hard to go around looking at the serial numbers of every reg etc. we see, and writing them down (being the complex things that they are) and comparing them to an extensive list of stolen items... don't you think?

The concept is admirable... but I don't wanna be a cop.

 

[scubasean]

GTADiver once bubbled...
Just yesterday I saw a tank that was for sale in a Pawn shop for $50 that was only two years old. I think the thing must be stolen but there is no registry of stolen scuba gear that anyone can look at.

I'm not sure I would agree that because a tank was in a pawn shop that it was necessarily (conclusively) a stolen item....

Even divers run out of money, lost interest, etc.

Did you buy it? A quick vis and you're all set.

 

[Red Dog Diver]

Speaking only in relation to my knowledge of pawn shops in Ontario, all are required to report daily lists of pawned items including serial numbers to their local police service. It is then up to the police to check the serial numbers on their local records systems and CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre) for items matching reported stolen goods. Obviously this system relies on two things: 1) the honesty of the pawn shop owners (which with some is quite suspect) to report all items accurately and 2) owners having the serial numbers for their property recorded so that if stolen, they can provide these numbers to police so they can be added to the above records systems. In my experience the second item is often the bigger problem. I personally have all my serial numbers recorded for dive gear and otherwise and I would encourage others to do the same, that way there is at least some chance that you could get it back if someone pawns it or if the police happen to find it. I also have all my dive gear marked with my name in some location.

I do like your idea, how about just posting items to the board as an FYI/Be on lookout. For example:

This past weekend I was diving at (place) between (times) I had my (item) stolen or lost, then provide a description of the item including any unique features that would identify it as yours. Given the large number of board members someone out there may see it and it may trigger in their minds, especially people who dive in the same area all the time.

Just my thoughts on the issue.

Derk