May 6, 2008 8:54 pm US/Pacific
ID System Saves Farmers Money In Stolen Equipment
STANISLAUS COUNTY (CBS13) ―
Thieves are targeting farm equipment in the valley. But now, local deputies are fighting back using a .22 caliber gun to shoot identification codes onto equipment.
Richard Cunningham puts his identification codes on his equipment, and as a result, is fortunate to have a piece of stolen farm equipment returned.
Cunningham owns about 500 acres of almonds. The business has been in his family for decades. But through out those years thieves have cost the farm some cash. With a new tool, the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department is hoping to crack down on those types of crimes.
The equipment identification program has been used around the country for years. And the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department says they've recovered more than $10 million in equipment
But the department lost funding for the program shortly after 9-11
Today, with the help of volunteers the sheriff-is bringing that program back.
"To purchase this equipment we used several funding sources," said Singh.
It's a program that Cunningham says works.
"I would encourage other farmers to tag their equipment," said Cunningham.
There is no cost to have your equipment added to this identification program.
Click on the video link on the right to see the identification equipment at work.
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