HOME

Operation Identification

Most burglars sell what they steal, making it hard for police to trace stolen goods. Once items are gone from your home, your television looks just like thousands of others. Unless you can prove it is yours, police cannot return it. To help protect your personal property, join the Operation Identification Program.

What is Operation Identification?

“Operation Identification” is a proven program whereby people make an inventory record of their property and then mark their own property with an “Owner Applied” identification number that can be traced directly to them.  This greatly improves their chances of having the property recovered and returned to them should it ever to stolen.

How to Mark Your Property.

Using an engraving tool inscribe your driver’s license number, prefaced by “OR” for Oregon and followed by “DL” for Driver’s License:

Example:

 OR1234567DL

A driver’s license number is the most desirable identification number to use because it is directly traceable to you.  If you do not drive, you can get an Oregon Identification Card from the DMV.  Mark your property in the same way you would if it were a driver’s license number. (See above)

Where to Mark Your Property.

Your “mark” should be plainly visible to anyone examining your property, such as an officer, dealing with recovered items.

Make sure it is in an accessible spot, permanently affixed to the item, not on a removable part like a lid, a plate, doors, etc.

Professional thieves often remove manufacturer’s serial numbers or etch over your engraved mark.  This will be apparent to an examining officer/deputy.  For ADDED protection, against erasure of your mark, engrave the item a second time in a more obscure spot, like the inside cover. It is also a good idea to take photos of small valuable items, such as jewelry, and keep the pictures along with your record of other marked items, in a safe place.

How to Record Your Property.

Use the spaces provided in the pamphlet to list the engraved items including make, model, size, color and serial number, as applicable.  Also record the exact spot(s) where you engraved the item.   

Keep the Valuable Property Record in a safe place (e. a safe deposit box) and keep it up to date. 

The Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach Division has engravers to loan should you need one.  Please contact Andrea at 440-4486 for more information.

Click on the link below to download your Operation ID Property Record.

Copyright © 1997 - 2009 Douglas County Sheriff's Office. All Rights Reserved.