The GMCA website is obviously something that is administered by someone outside of the Lakewood Police Department. If you are referring to the Green Mountain Civic Association, we have provided information to the administrator of that website. I've reviewed that website and the only reference I see to Operation I.D., the program where we encourage citizens to mark their property, is on the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) program that we offer, which is posted on the website under the Home Security Survey page.
Please keep in mind that this form is posted on that website for general information only, so that you can see what we check when conducting CPTED surveys of a residence. As the page indicates this form is used as part of a survey that qualified personnel conduct as a service to citizens. It is not meant to be used by untrained personnel. The reason is that, as surveys are conducted additional information is provided that is not on the form.
For instance, the item you are referring to, under the heading, "Miscellaneous," "Has the homeowner participate in Operation Identification and engraved items of value," would include the caveat that we are referring to property items, such as televisions, stereos, furniture and other items that tend to wear out and eventually be replaced and, when disposing of an item that the information should be removed. Secondly, we would never instruct people to engrave items that would have their value decreased by engraving, such as firearms, jewelry, or items that would have heirloom value.
Finally, when Operation Identification began, in the 1970's, the original program encouraged folks to engrave personal information on items, such as a driver's license, or social security number. This was done before the age of the internet and before identity theft was a problem. The information engraved on items is listed as an "Owner Applied Number." This number can be any number that you choose and which does not have to contain any identifying information. Today we encourage citizens to apply a number, which you create, which is unique to you, and which you record or can easily remember. For example, you can use your phone number, address, a made up number or combination. This can include numerals and letters. You could, for instance, use your phone number combined with your initials. You should use a number that you do not plan on changing because, as you add new items, you would want to use the same number.
The reason we encourage citizens to engrave, or mark items is because of the following:
1) When items are stolen, the Owner Applied Number can be used to enter the item into the stolen property system in the Colorado Crime Information Center System.
a) Owner applied numbers can be used to check an item to see if it is stolen and is as good as a serial number for identification.
2) Criminals who steal items often come into contact with law enforcement. Whenever possible, the law enforcement officers will run any number, including Owner Applied Numbers, marked on the item.
a) In fact, if an officer encounters an owner applied number, they are likely to run it as that is a red flag that the item may be stolen.
3) Suggested rules for marking items with Owner Applied Numbers:
1) Include your State code, you can start the number with CO (Colorado.) This way, if the item is located in another state, the officer will know to run it through the Colorado CCIC system.
2) Including your initials, will alert an officer encountering the item that it probably does not belong to someone who has different initials.
3) Use a number that you will record or can easily remember.
4) Be consistent and use the same number for all items. This will help law enforcement identify which items belong to you, if they are ever recovered.
a) This will also help if you forget to list something as stolen. If law enforcement comes across multiple items stolen from you, they will be able to recognize that something belongs to you, whether it is listed as stolen, or not.
4) Rather than marking items such as jewelry, firearms, art, or family heirlooms, take photos of the item, and save those photos with a list of all your valuables.
a) Even if an item is not marked, if it is taken with other, marked items, it is more likely that it will be recovered because it is more likely that it will be found with marked items and law enforcement will more easily be able to recognize that it was stolen.
I hope this helps. I'll forward this to the administrator of the GMCA website and hopefully he will be able to post it, along with the information you were concerned about.
If you would like a survey of your residence, just let me know and I'll add you to our list of requesters.
Al Williams
Police Volunteer Coordinator
Volunteer Support Team
Lakewood Police Department
(303) 987-7105
445 S. ALLISON PARKWAY
LAKEWOOD, COLORADO 80226
LAKEWOOD.ORG
Please keep in mind that this form is posted on that website for general information only, so that you can see what we check when conducting CPTED surveys of a residence. As the page indicates this form is used as part of a survey that qualified personnel conduct as a service to citizens. It is not meant to be used by untrained personnel. The reason is that, as surveys are conducted additional information is provided that is not on the form.
For instance, the item you are referring to, under the heading, "Miscellaneous," "Has the homeowner participate in Operation Identification and engraved items of value," would include the caveat that we are referring to property items, such as televisions, stereos, furniture and other items that tend to wear out and eventually be replaced and, when disposing of an item that the information should be removed. Secondly, we would never instruct people to engrave items that would have their value decreased by engraving, such as firearms, jewelry, or items that would have heirloom value.
Finally, when Operation Identification began, in the 1970's, the original program encouraged folks to engrave personal information on items, such as a driver's license, or social security number. This was done before the age of the internet and before identity theft was a problem. The information engraved on items is listed as an "Owner Applied Number." This number can be any number that you choose and which does not have to contain any identifying information. Today we encourage citizens to apply a number, which you create, which is unique to you, and which you record or can easily remember. For example, you can use your phone number, address, a made up number or combination. This can include numerals and letters. You could, for instance, use your phone number combined with your initials. You should use a number that you do not plan on changing because, as you add new items, you would want to use the same number.
The reason we encourage citizens to engrave, or mark items is because of the following:
1) When items are stolen, the Owner Applied Number can be used to enter the item into the stolen property system in the Colorado Crime Information Center System.
a) Owner applied numbers can be used to check an item to see if it is stolen and is as good as a serial number for identification.
2) Criminals who steal items often come into contact with law enforcement. Whenever possible, the law enforcement officers will run any number, including Owner Applied Numbers, marked on the item.
a) In fact, if an officer encounters an owner applied number, they are likely to run it as that is a red flag that the item may be stolen.
3) Suggested rules for marking items with Owner Applied Numbers:
1) Include your State code, you can start the number with CO (Colorado.) This way, if the item is located in another state, the officer will know to run it through the Colorado CCIC system.
2) Including your initials, will alert an officer encountering the item that it probably does not belong to someone who has different initials.
3) Use a number that you will record or can easily remember.
4) Be consistent and use the same number for all items. This will help law enforcement identify which items belong to you, if they are ever recovered.
a) This will also help if you forget to list something as stolen. If law enforcement comes across multiple items stolen from you, they will be able to recognize that something belongs to you, whether it is listed as stolen, or not.
4) Rather than marking items such as jewelry, firearms, art, or family heirlooms, take photos of the item, and save those photos with a list of all your valuables.
a) Even if an item is not marked, if it is taken with other, marked items, it is more likely that it will be recovered because it is more likely that it will be found with marked items and law enforcement will more easily be able to recognize that it was stolen.
I hope this helps. I'll forward this to the administrator of the GMCA website and hopefully he will be able to post it, along with the information you were concerned about.
If you would like a survey of your residence, just let me know and I'll add you to our list of requesters.
Al Williams
Police Volunteer Coordinator
Volunteer Support Team
Lakewood Police Department
(303) 987-7105
445 S. ALLISON PARKWAY
LAKEWOOD, COLORADO 80226
LAKEWOOD.ORG