**Please call ahead to order the signs. The Farm Bureau does not always have signs in stock and we don't want you to make a trip to the office just to leave empty-handed.**
Rural properties have unique risk factors not always associated with properties in city limits. They are often isolated and off the beaten path which may make them an attractive target for thieves. In addition, they may have barns or storage areas not well secured and parts, piping, or other farm equipment in fields or other outdoor locations with minimal security. Unfortunately, many stolen items are unmarked and untraceable thus making resale easy and recovery difficult.
The Yolo County Sheriff’s Office is committed to helping rural property owners minimize crime by working together with property owners. In addition to our primary services, the YCSO has specifically created a Rural Crime Task Force whose primary focus is on rural crime. They work hand-in-hand with our rural community by developing relationships, communication, education, and the investigation of rural crime activities.
The Sheriff’s Team of Active Retired Seniors developed a program to assist in the marking of farming/household equipment with the application of Owner Applied Numbers uniquely developed for each property owner. See additional information on this brochure for details. In addition, the STARS will provide extra patrol, vacation house watch, or the placement of a decoy car to deter criminal activity and/or traffic control.
Yolo County Sheriff in Partnership with the Yolo County Farm Bureau
The Sheriff’s Office partners with the Yolo County Farm Bureau to combat the issues of rural crime. The Farm Bureau is an advocate for local farmers with a focus on raising awareness, resolving issues, and educating our community. For membership information, go to www.yolofarmbureau.org or call 520-663-6316.
Posting warning signs is an inexpensive way to alert criminals that you are serious about crime prevention. We created signage specifically for rural properties. Rural Crime Task Force sign may be purchased at the Yolo County Farm Bureau at 69 West Kentucky Avenue in Woodland.
Tips for Reducing Crime
The Owner Applied Number Program (OAN) is a nationally established system created to help track and prevent theft and stolen property for the rural property owner. The number assigned to you is uniquely yours and will be stored in the National Crime Information Center which can be traced to you anywhere in United States.
The first two numbers stand for the state (CA), the next three numbers stand for the county (504), the next four numbers are uniquely selected (0001) and the last letter is the first letter of the owner’s last name.
The number can be stamped, engraved, painted, or branded onto all of your farm equipment, tools, containers, tires, etc. The Yolo County Sheriff’s Office STARS volunteers offer this service free of charge to Yolo County Residents.
The YC Sheriff's Office is committed to help reduce rural crime in Yolo County and this program can be instrumental in deterring criminals and retrieving stolen property anywhere in the United States.
If you are interested in applying for an OAN number, please fill out the brochure attached on this page.