Texas: TRIP and TSCRA and TLMO

[two_bit_score]

This is information that I think other Texas member might want to be aware of. I have some experience with these organizations and the TRIP program and consider them all to be worthwhile. I don't get anything out of anybody taking part in any of them other than that the individual participating might be helped by their participation.

TRIP: This is a program through the Texas Department of Public Safety Auto Theft Division where an individual or company can register farm or construction equipment - includes riding lawn tractors- and law enforcement will have your name and a 24/7 contact number so that if the equipment is spotted in an area other than the normal operating area you have declared you can be contacted to verify that the person with it is operating or possessing it lawfully. This could assist in the recovery of your property even before you report it stolen. Look up the TRIP program under the Texas DPS website under Motor Vehicle Theft Services. It's free to register your equipment.

TSCRA: Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Assoc. This is a worthwhile organization for many reasons. If you are actively involved in cattle operations you already know why. However, you can join as a landowner even if you don't have cattle - or you may be expecting to own some in the future. A benefit you might be interested in is that the TSCRA has a force of peace officers commissioned as Special Rangers by the Texas DPS. These Rangers investigate thefts of cattle and equipment from members farms and ranches. This is an extra bit of law enforcement you might want on your side if your equipment is stolen or vandalized. The Rangers cover every county in Texas and several in Oklahoma. They have been involved in many investigations and prosecutions and are very expierenced law enforcement professionals. You may have seen blue gate signs on some places that show the landowner has posted the property against tresspassing and is a member of TSCRA. The dues are very reasonable and vary with the amount of cattle you have.

TLMA: Texas Land and Mineral Owners Assoc. This organization represents the interests of Texas land and mineral owners in the legislature and provides information regarding oil and gas leasing, O&G company operations and responsibilities and landowner rights. They currently are working to amend Texas law so that O&G companies will be held more responsible for properly plugging and abandoning orphan wells and properly removing old property at the well site. This is a big problem in some areas. Also, supporting changes to emminent domain laws to see that landowners are trated fairly. You might appreciate this if you ever have a pipeline easement issue on your land. Also, working for additional funding for Railroad Commission inspectors and saltwater disposal well inspections and regulations.They are a good contact point for information and assistance in dealing with companies and in supporting legislation of interest to Texas landowners. The dues vary depending on the membership level but are very reasonable. Please look them up at tlma.org.

Like I said, I don't get anything from this except the satisfaction that I have maybe helped someone and an organization(s) that I know are worth the cost of the dues.

 

[jinman]

Good info and presented very well. Thanks!

 

[texbaylea]

My thanks also. I was aware of TSCRA but not the other two.

Vernon

 

[two_bit_score]

Good info and presented very well. Thanks!

I appreciate the kind words. I know both organizations do good work and are always looking for additional members.

The TRIP program is not very well known but seems to be a good program.
With Ag and const. equipment not being titled and VIN'd like cars and trucks every little thing you can do to thwart theives you should do.

I was aware of a recovery of a couple skid steers last year where the officer noticed some unusual circumstances and investigated but did not get a "hit" as stolen on one of the skid steers. Because of the circumstances he found the equipment in he would not let well enough alone and finally tracked down a theft report out of OK. This equipment was on a trailer in Midland, Tx headed for the Mexican border.

The PD tech who was responsible for entering the skid steer VIN into the stolen database did not catch the error and entered the VIN incorrectly. Most equipment does not conform to the 17 character VIN that applies to vehicles and the PD tech was trying to enter it as a vehicle and instead of getting to the correct screen for equipment - go figure. In short, this vehicle would NEVER have gotten a stolen 'hit' but for the extra effort by the auto theft detective working it who was astute and experienced enough to know that the skid steer was stolen even whe the computer was telling him there was no stolen notice.

Moral of this story is that you can't always absolutely rely on everything to happen correctly after the police report is taken. You should check back with the department who took the report a day or so later and verify that the vehicle is correctly entered into the NCIC stolen database.

Everything you can legally do to tilt the table against the crook you have to do.

Hope the information helps someone to prevent an equipment theft or to recover their equipment and to prosecute the thief.

 

[two_bit_score]

My thanks also. I was aware of TSCRA but not the other two.

Vernon

I appreciate your kind words also, texbaylea. I just drove through your county today on dear old Hwy 21 - the El Camino Real.

Is there a lot of drilling activity around your area? It looks like Robertson Co. a little to the noth of Brazos is pretty hot lately.

 

[texbaylea]

I appreciate your kind words also, texbaylea. I just drove through your county today on dear old Hwy 21 - the El Camino Real.

Is there a lot of drilling activity around your area? It looks like Robertson Co. a little to the noth of Brazos is pretty hot lately.

I am in the northeast quadrant between Tx21 and Tx6. There was a flurry of leasing last year and a well recently completed close to me. That well is one of two contracted for before oil prices plummeted. The company is waiting for some stability in oil prices before doing more drilling. I do not have any info on what kind of production is coming from that well.

Robertson County had a lot of gas well activity over the last 2-3 years but I hear that it has slowed down a lot.

I am hoping that drilling will resume shortly and my small holding will be in the next unit to be drilled.

Vernon

 

[two_bit_score]

Sounds like you had some good luck! That's great. Don't worry too much about when the drilling will resume. If the gas is there it will be tapped sooner or later.