Operation Id is a program to prevent theft and burglary by permanently marking and registering valuable property and notifying potential thieves and burglars that this action has been taken.

Most sources credit the Chief of Police in Monterey Park, California, with starting this property marking program in 1963. The program was so successful in reducing burglaries that it has spread throughout the country.

The program has four major advantages regarding property marked in accordance with this program:

• Deters Crime; thieves and burglars are less likely to steal an item that can be positively identified and that will be difficult to sell.
• Positive Identification; The owner of stolen or lost property can easily be located through existing records.
• Helps Criminal Prosecution; The arresting officers can more can more readily use the stolen property in pursuing the case through the courts.
• Aids Recovery; Stolen and/or lost property is more likely to be returned to the owner.

How Items Are Marked

There are various ways to mark your personal property, the most common being an electric engraver. Be sure to practice using the engraver on something of no value before you actually mark your items of value, there is no eraser! Hold the engraver upright and use slow, smooth strokes.

Property You Should Mark

Mark anything of value that can be marked. If an item is an heirloom or would lose its value if marked with an engraver then DO NOT engrave it! Follow the same procedure you would to have that item insured, photograph it and file that photo with a written description of the item. Be sure to have something else in the photo to show the size of the item.

You may borrow an engraver, at no cost, from the Police Department.  To borrow the engraver or to answer any other questions that you may have about this program or any other crime prevention program contact P.O. Laetitia Schuler, Crime Prevention Officer at 513-752-4100.