OPERATION I.D.

Operation ID is designed to discourage theft.  Thefts in
residence halls and oficers are on the increase.  By engraving
your social security number on your valuables and displaying a
decal on your door stating that all valuables are marked, you
will alert anyone intending to enter your room or ofice and
make them more reluctant to take marked items.

Stolen goods are more difficult for thieves to sell when
they have been marked and can be identified.  Operation ID
also assists the police in identifying stolen property.  Stolen
items of value are entered into the National Crime Information
Center (NCIC), making information available to other police
agencies.


Reasons for Engraving your Property

When you engrave your property you are increasing the
chances of having the property recovered it it is stolen. 

Currently, statistics show that approximately 75 percent of
recovered stolen property cannot be returned to the rightful
owner.  When a police department cannot prove ownership of
recovered property, the property is held for a period of time,
then disposed of in accordance with the law.


How to Use Operation ID

1.     Engrave or stencil your social security number onto your
        property.  Example:  000-00-0000.

2.     Engrave or stencil items in an obvious place so the number
        can be seen at a quick glance.  For further protection,
        engrave a second hidden number.

3.     Keep an inventory record of all your valuables;  i.e., make,
        model, serial numbers, and description as well as location(s)
        engraved or stenciled.

4.     Marking items will also assist you in retrieving loaned,
        borrowed, or misplaced items if ownership questions arise.

 Helpful Hints

     •  If you feel the value of your property would be severely
        reduced if it were engraved, take photographs instead
        and file these photographs along with a description of
        the item(s), noting all unique characteristics, such as
        serial numbers, model, make, etc.

     •  If you purchase property which has another person's ID
        number engraved on it, merely add your own number. 
        Do not attempt to remove the other number.

     •  Books can be marked by placing your social security
        number on several pages throughout the book, preferably
        on the inside margin.

     •  Clothing can be marked with a marking pen, someplace
        other than on the label.

     •  Credit card numbers should also be included on your
        inventory list for fast reference in case they are lost or
        stolen.


  Where to Get Engravers

Engravers may be checked out at the Department of
     Public Safety.


     What to Do if You are a Victim of Theft

     •  Make a police report.          

     •  Notify your bank about the loss of checkbook(s) and bank
        card(s).
    
     •  Notify department store(s) about the loss of credit card(s).

     •  Have your driver's license and University of Dayton ID cards 
        replaced.  (There is a replacement fee.)

     •  Itemize the property stolen for insurance purposes. This
        will also assist you in determining if you are missing other
        property that might have slipped your mind.

     •  If someone other than the officer who completed the original
        police report contacts you and claims to be a police officer
        or bank official, do not release any information concerning
        the theft.  Get the name and telephone number of the caller
        and tell them you will call them back.  Then call the
        officer who completed the original report.

     •  If you notice charges or checks for purchases or withdrawals
        that you did not make, notify the financial institution or
        business as soon as possible.  They will contact police to
        coordinate efforts in locating the person responsible.  Also
        notify the original agency that    took the police report.

     •  If you recover any of your stolen property, i.e., credit
        cards or checks, notify your bank and the police of the
        recovery.  Do not use credit cards or checks if they have
        been  reported stolen.  Notify the police of personal 
        property recovered so that it may be removed from the
        NCIC computer and other lists.


  Help Stop Theft

An open and unoccupied room is the most vulnerable
     location to experience a theft of property.  Be cautious and
     observant rather than a victim.

Report any suspicious person(s) or activity to the police
     immediately.  When calling, attempt to give the best possible
     description of person(s), vehicle(s), and activity.

These pages created and maintained by the Department of Public Safety.