"We believe that by putting criminals and the crimes they commit under the spotlight, we have a better chance of protecting our children, loved ones and ourselves, from the influence of crime"

Operation I.D.

Every year there are thousands of acts of crime against property in the City of Edmonton. As a result of these property crimes, the police recover numerous items. Unfortunately a very small percentage of this recovered property is returned to the rightful owner.

 Why? The General public cannot identify its property!
 If everyone would mark their property with a driver's licence number, we would increase the number of items recovered and lower our insurance premiums. In the absence of a driver's licence number, a provincial id card can be obtained through any vehicle registries office.

 Why follow Operation Identification?
 Operation Identification improves the chance of recovery. If you are a victim of a break and enter and all your items are marked and easily traced, anyone found with them will be arrested for possession of stolen property and your articles will be returned.

 What is Operation Identification?
 It is the marking/photographing of all valuables in and around your home.

 Who should follow Operation Identification?
 The procedures can be used by anyone including non-program members, but only Neighbourhood Watch members will receive stickers, "Items marked for Identification".

 How is Operation Identification followed?
 Zone Leaders are responsible for monitoring the lending of engraving pens throughout their community. They can directly keep track of the engraver, or they can ask their Block Captains to handle that responsibility. Community Leagues quite often purchase the engravers for use within that community, and the Zone Leader may approach the League executive for permission to use them.
  • Engraving pens can also be purchased at local hardware stores for a reasonable cost.
  • Household Inventory booklets can be used as a recording sheet.
  • Use a drivers licence number as police have access to this information 24 hours a day. If you do not have drivers licence you can obtain a provincial id card from any vehicle registries office and use the number on the card to identify your property.
  • Engrave deeply and somewhere where it can be readily found/seen by police.
  • Do not rely on serial number tags on the back of property. They can be torn off.
  • Engrave all valuable property and/or photograph it. Jewellery and fine china, which cannot be engraved, should be photographed.
  • Have a jeweller engrave small valuables.
  • Two copies of your recordings should be kept in a safe place, such as a safety deposit box, in the event you are a victim of crime.
  • Display "Items Marked" stickers after property is engraved.
  • When items are recovered, the article can be traced to its owner through the police computer.
Marking your property does not take a lot of time or effort. If we all marked our property, there would be many more charges laid against criminals. By marking our property, we will have increased the chances of returning the property to its rightful owner. Also, let's not forget about lower insurance premiums! Lets get involved!

© 2013   Created by Rick Newcombe.

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