Do we want a special forum for Lost and Found?

[Jennie@ifish]

It has been asked that we have a Lost and Found Board, all on it's own, for police to follow, and for people to list things, lost or found.

There are two sides to this. One, I don't know if it will give more attention posted on the main board, or posted in it's own forum.

Maybe the answer is both an alert on the main forum, and a post in the proposed new lost and found forum.

Please let me know your opinion, and I will do as the votes say.

Also, if you get too many forums going, it is not only harder to moderate for the admin and moderators, but it starts to feel cluttered around here. However, flip side, it could be useful to have them all in one place.

Feel free to give me your opinions below, also.

Thanks,
Jen

[Chukrchaser]

"Really don't care" doesn't quite fit --but is closer than an unqualfied yes or no.

Will the Police really have an interest??

Does this have the potential for a train wreck?? :shocked:

How many lurkers will be e-mailing, calling [img]graemlins/icon_argue.gif[/img] about stuff they "lost" -- that really isn't?

How's that for getting started on the "dark side"? :grin:

I gotta go find a Chukar to adjust my post "Black Friday" attitude [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img] .

[Don Becker]

On the far-more-positive-side . . . . If Jennie does it, it will be GREAT!

I think it would be a good idea. Allowing for an alert-post on the main forum is probably a good way to let us know to look there . . . 'maybe just a subject-only, no text allowed: e.g., "Please see new item in the Lost and Found Forum!"

Don

[kayakfisher]

I believe that it would be especially useful for items stolen that could be found for sale in the newspaper, or garage sales...etc.

Ie stolen trolling motors are an especially hot item to thieves...and since they will try to sell them it would be helpful to have a listing for such items.

thanks,

mike

[Jennie@ifish]

I think if we do it, I will reclassify some of the other forums under one heading. "Classifieds" and then under that, put Boats and Tackle, General classifieds, and Lost and Found.

And then, we could add "Find a fishing mate~!"

NO!!!!!!!! NO!!!!!!!!! WE aren't going there!
[img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]
Jen

[River Ranger]

Good idea Jen.I left a pole on the Nehalem once and never saw it again.
R.R.

[ultralight]

I don't think there is a need to create a new forum for lost and found, as it appears that any lost/found posts on this forum generally get plenty of attention. If a separate forum for lost and found is established, it may be the loneliest one of them all. And I seriousely doubt that the police would use the forum for any investigation for lost fishing equipment.

[Jennie@ifish]

Actually, there is police interest.
They wrote to me and asked about just this thing.
Ifish is a pretty targeted market for this kind of thing. We are kind of the eyes and ears for motor sales at thrift shops, etc.

Jen

Here is his first letter to me:

Hello. I am the Lieutenant with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office River Patrol Unit. I've been a member of Ifish for a while now and really enjoy the quality of this site. I am very interested in improving the quality of my unit's site at www.sheriff-mcso.org and wanted to ask you for any suggestions or comments. I also wanted to know what you thought of us partnering with Ifish for some upcoming projects to include "No Wake", "BUII", "Boat/Engine Theft" and "Education Day" projects.... and it went on...

Anyway, I think it could be of great use, the more I think about it.

It may very well be lonely. I can only pray that it will be the LONLIEST!!! It isn't for gabbing, it's for offical record, so that we can all keep our eyes and ears open.

They will also be listed on the front page, as usual. This is only a listing. Not a place to gab.

Jen

[ 11-29-2003, 06:44 PM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

[ultralight]

Well, I don't read anything about investigating lost fishing equipment in the letter, as it would be a waste of tax payers dollars when there are far more serious crimes that are not being invstigated.

[Jennie@ifish]

Me thinks you are being grouchy.
How come?
Not enough fish?
Or--Hey! Did someone steal your favorite reel!
I have just the thing! A Lost and Found Forum just for you! :smile: :smile:
:smile:
Jen

[ 11-30-2003, 01:33 PM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

[ultralight]

No, not being grouchy at all. I just thought it was funny that a police dept. would investigate lost fishing stuff...not that it would be a nice touch to their image. But when they're undermanned and aren't able to do anything about auto burglary, theft, etc., it simply doesn't make any sense to put resources into such low priority job. You wanted feedback, and I'm giving it to ya!

[Jennie@ifish]

Actually, the police and the coast guard have actually solved crimes by using ifish. It's really amazing, but it can help. Every little bit helps.
Jen

[1pump]

I think it'd be great, as long as it's strictly a listing and everybody keeps their comments or opinions to the other boards.
I just have to remember to look there once in a while.

[ultralight]

Jen,

I think you and I are talking about two different things. Theft and lost/found are not the same. I am all for using any forum or organization to assist in cracking down on thefts, and I think ifish has already done a lot to achieve that.

[Jennie@ifish]

Here is how it works.
Someone has a motor stolen.
They list it on the main forum.
They also list it on the Lost and Found forum.
So, in a while, we have a list of things in one place that have been stolen. If they are found or recovered, we take them off. If not, it is a list of things to watch for, at garage sales, resale shops, etc...
If police raid a place where they believe stolen articles to be, they can check ifish for the original owners.
If someone happens to see someone acting suspicious with new equipment, we can check ifish, personally, to see if the items in question happen to be listed.

Does that make sense?
Jen

[ 11-30-2003, 01:57 PM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

[kayakfisher]

I believe that if the police cannot investigate every stolen motor, and they cannot, a lost and found of such motors with serial numbers and a description of the item would make the market for such stolen items a bit less lucrative, and the theft of such items a little riskier. In time, such a listing could in fact become very very large, and might be referenced from outside out geographic area...making it harder to even export such items outside the state. Police may not investigate each theft, but if I knew where they could find a stolen motor I bet they would pounce on that opportunity...esp since they would also likely find lots of other items...and nail an offender with a multitude of offenses.

It also may make recovery more likely...I for one have found that my insurance, was not all that willing to live up to their obligations in regards to a stolen motor...even though it was locked up on the boat.

M.

[DF]

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] I agree good idea. I think if the theives know that there is a list out there available to around 3000 people. They will be a little less motivated to steal and sell somthing

[Private-Aye-Fish]

Anything that helps is a good idea.