New Branding Programs Aims to Prevent Crime on Yolo Farms, Ranches

Thefts on local farms and ranches is on the rise according to the Yolo County Sheriff's Department, but there is now a way for Yolo farmers to keep track of their equipment.   

Sheriff Ed Prieto said his office's new initiative, known as the Owner Applied Number (OAN) Program, operates as part of the statewide “ACTION” program which is part of the Agricultural Crime Technology Information and Operations Network. 

Under the OAN program, farmers and ranchers are issued a “unique” number which can be stamped, engraved or branded into equipment. The number is maintained by the owner and can be used to identify items.

OAN numbers are entered into state and federal computer systems if the item is reported stolen. The Owner Applied Number is used in addition to the equipment serial number issued by the manufacturer, if any.

This important crime prevention program is being offered by the Sheriff’s Team of Active Retired Seniors (STARS) at no cost property owners.

Citizen volunteers who are members of the STARS program, visit farms and ranches by invitation, and apply the numbers to equipment selected by the owner. The number is then provided to the Sheriff’s Office if the property is stolen.

Law Enforcement agencies can then track stolen items through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer systems. If a stolen item is identified in the system, it can then be returned to the owner and the information used to prosecute the offender. 

To date, the STARS have visited 16 Yolo County agricultural businesses and have marked over 1,900 items. Each property owner who participates in the program is given signs for posting, warning that the property is protected by the Owner Applied Number program. According to Sheriff Prieto, this program is designed to prevent the theft of property and reduce the impact of crime in the agricultural community.

Individuals or businesses interested in participating in this free crime prevention program can contact Sheriff’s Operation Technician Suzanne Ramalia at 530.668.5298 to schedule an appointment for the OAN program. 

Info: Yolo County Sheriff's Department.