Properly identified property is hard for a burglar to dispose of.

What is Operation Identification? It is a program that has proven to be dramatically effective in reducing burglary in cities where it has been properly implemented.

Operation Identification has two parts. First, you mark all your easily stolen valuables so that they can be identified as yours. Second, you display a sticker which tells burglars that you have done so.

What makes Operation Identification so effective is that easily identified property is hard for a burglar to dispose of. It can be traced back to you. And, if the burglar is caught with it in his possesion, it is solid evidence of possession of stolen goods.

Operation Identification is part of Minnesota Crime Watch. When you employ it, you will be given a permanent identifcation number. You will mark your valuables with it and your number will be registered with your local law enforcement agency.

You may wish to make duplicate lists of your property and keep one copy in a safe place around your home or office, another copy in a safe deposit box.

In case of burglary, you will be able to describe stolen property quickly, which will help police in their attempts to recover it.

With property that carries the manufacturer's serial or id number (cameras, guns, etc) include this number along with your Permanent ID Number to make your property more recoverable.

To mark your property for Operation Identification, call your police or sheriff to borrow an electric engraving tool. Some law enforcement departments have these tools and will loan them, others will direct you to one of the community-minded organizations cooperating in Operation Identification.

Or you might wish to purchase one for your own use. They are relatively inexpensive and available at hardware, department and variety stores.

Some suggestions to mark these possessions...

• TV sets
• Stereo equipment
• Radios
• Car tape decks
• Recorders and players
• Fishing rods, reels
• Vacum cleaners
• Kitchen appliances
• Computers
• Cameras
• Guns
• Hub caps
• Mag wheels
• Bicycles
• Outboard motors
• Golf clubs
• Tools (hand & power)
• Watches
• Other valuable items...