Many individual factors are important in fighting crime from a preventative standpoint. One of these factors is property identification programs. An example of a property identification program is Operation Identification. Operation Identification is a nationally recognized program and a part of the Pennsylvania Crime Watch Program. It is also initiated by the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency and the Governor's Office. The specific purpose of this program is to deter theft and aid in recovering stolen property. It is a great way to have interaction between the police and the community. This program entices community members to come together and mark valuable property with an identification number in order to track their goods if ever stolen.
             This program is set up by local police departments and can only work with community involvement. The local police department will lend out laser pens to mark the property of your choice. You can mark just about anything of value such as computers, television sets, car windows, radios, boats, bicycles, etc. The officer can help you decide what serial number to choose when labeling. A common number to use in Pennsylvania is your driver's license number preceded by the letters PA. If marking multiple items simply add a dash at the end and number 1, 2, 3, etc. Using this method a serial number would look like this: PA12345678-1. Participants are urged to never use their social security number as a serial number. If they become a victim of theft their social security number could then be used making them a victim of identity theft as well.
             Many local colleges and universities encourage students to mark their property while on campus. Many campus police departments will start a drive at the beginning of the school year to help students place a serial number on their belongings. If needed throughout the school year laser pens are distri
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