Remember to keep a record of the serial numbers to all of your belongings -- bicycles, computers,tvs, stereos, vcrs,etc -- along with the brand names and model numbers. Hopefully they willnever bestolen, but if they are, with these identifying features, they can be returned to you once recovered. Without these numbers and names, they go to the impound lot, and most likely after that on to auction. With these identifying features, the cops can walk them back to your front door.
Note the brands as well as the serial numbers -- some items, like computers, may use the same serial numbers betwen brands. If you think it was a Dell computer with serial number 123456789, but it was really a Compaq with the same number, it might not be caught when the thief tries to register it at the pawn shop.
This tip brought to you courtesy of TPD --- via your Neighborhood Watch web site!!