Operation Identification is a citizen's burglary prevention program for use in homes. The Operation ID program involves the marking of property with an identifying number as a means of discouraging burglary and theft. In communities where it has been properly implemented, Operation ID has shown dramatic results in its ability to reduce burglaries. Your Operation Identification Kit comes with instructions, forms and stickers to alert your community that you participate in the program. Please call the Community Outreach office to obtain further instructions and to find out how this program could benefit you.
Woodlawn's Community Outreach office also officers the community members an opportunity to borrow the engraver needed to make the proper markings on your property. Contact your outreach officer at 410-887-4714.
Operation Identification has three parts:
1. Marking all your easily stolen valuables so that they can be identified as yours.
2. Using the list to record description and serial numbers of all valuable you have marked. (display and print Property Identification List here) (PDF)
3. Displaying a sticker which tells burglars that you are participating in Operation Identification.
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 possession, it is solid evidence of possession of stolen goods.
I. Marking your valuables
Use an electric engraver to mark your valuables for Operation Identification. Electric engravers are relatively inexpensive and available at hardware, department and variety stores.
Mark your valuables by inscribing your driver's license number followed by the letters MD. A typical marking should look like this: A-000-000-000-0000 MD
If you have no driver's license number, the Motor Vehicle Administration will issue an identification number to you upon your completion of a special form they provide for this purpose.
Include your driver's license number (or identification number) even on property that includes a manufacturer's serial number to make your property more recoverable. By using the driver's license identification number, you make it possible for law enforcement agencies to quickly trace the rightful owner of recovered property.
II. Recording description of Valuables
You should complete two copies of the Property Identification List (PDF) keeping one copy in a safe place around your home or office, and another in a safe deposit box or other secure location. It's also a good idea to take color photographs of valuables that cannot be marked (china, silver, jewelry, etc.) and file the pictures with the copies of this list.
In case of burglary, you'll be able to describe stolen property quickly, which will help police in their attempt to recover it.
III. Displaying of I.D. Sticker
After marking your valuable and completing your property list, you should display an Operation Identification sticker on all your exterior doors. The sticker can be obtained from your police or sheriff's department.
Operation Identification stickers tell would-be burglars that goods stolen from you home will be hard to dispose of and, if found in their possession, are evidence of guilt.
To display and print a copy of the property Identification list Select here. (PDF)
For more information about Operation Identification, contact:
Maryland Crime Watch
Maryland Community Crime Prevention Institute
Police Training Commission
Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
6852 4th Street
Sykesville, MD 21784
1-800-303-8802
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Revised March 24, 2008
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