On: Crime in New York City Plunges to a Level Not Seen Since the 1950s

[sedachv]

> Cops have no say in whether to take or not take a report.

One time I tried to report a theft. I gave up after the third time the cop who was answering the phones at the local police station hung up on me.

[nerdponx → sedachv]

The other day I tried to report someone who was blatantly trying to sell me a stolen computer. I was disappointed to find that they don't maintain any kind of database of serial numbers of lost and stolen electronics.

The implication is that, if you do lose something or have it stolen, there is no way for the police to help you get it back.

[sarchertech → nerdponx]

That's mostly because the percentage of people who keep track of the SN of their electronics is close to 0.

[chimeracoder → nerdponx]

> I was disappointed to find that they don't maintain any kind of database of serial numbers of lost and stolen electronics.

NYC actually does, but you have to register your number before it gets stolen.

Usually this is fine, because most people don't know their serial number after the device is stolen, unless they've thought to register it beforehand anyway.

[JumpCrisscross → sedachv]

My comment is specific to New York City. There is an independent system —311—through which reports can be made and hence documented.