DAYTON -- Break-ins are one of the most common crimes in the Dayton region and can happen to anyone.
Dayton Police are fighting back against home burglaries with the help of a simple and cheap tool.
It's a new program called Property Identification.
Dayton Police Lt. Andrew Booher is heading the effort.
"By using an ultraviolet marker people can mark their property," said Booher.
Booher said it's easy and it's cheap.
Officers are asking homeowners in the Dayton region to mark their valuable items with an ultraviolet marker pen.
"It goes on wet, and when it is dry, you can't see it with the naked eye."
They ask that you write your state ID or driver's license number on the back. Especially on things like GPS, computers, televisions, stereos, gaming systems, and any other items of value. Once you have done so, they want you to contact them for a database they will keep.
The whole idea of the program is so if your valuables are stolen they can be linked back to you if they are found in someone's possession or in a pawn shop.
Booher said his officers have started the program in the Walnut Hills area, which had high reports of break-ins. They started the program in December with people in that neighborhood.
"It's very effective. We did one four-block area around December," said Booher.
Sara Stack lives in Dayton and is already a part of the Identity Protection.
Stack marked her Wii gaming system.
"It's right by the door versus our computers. They are in another room, where it's harder to get to," she said.
Police say after you mark your property to contact your local crime prevention officer for a sticker to put on the front and back door of your home. That will hopefully be a warning to criminals that your property is marked with police.
You can find the pens online for less than $6 or your neighborhood association should be taking part in the tool soon.
Dayton Police are the first in the Miami Valley to use this identification tool. They plan to share it with other departments in the area.
If you live in the East Patrol Operations Division in Dayton you can contact Officer Danielle Cash for the South division or Officer Joe Grieshop for the North division.
Dayton Police are fighting back against home burglaries with the help of a simple and cheap tool.
It's a new program called Property Identification.
Dayton Police Lt. Andrew Booher is heading the effort.
"By using an ultraviolet marker people can mark their property," said Booher.
Booher said it's easy and it's cheap.
Officers are asking homeowners in the Dayton region to mark their valuable items with an ultraviolet marker pen.
"It goes on wet, and when it is dry, you can't see it with the naked eye."
They ask that you write your state ID or driver's license number on the back. Especially on things like GPS, computers, televisions, stereos, gaming systems, and any other items of value. Once you have done so, they want you to contact them for a database they will keep.
The whole idea of the program is so if your valuables are stolen they can be linked back to you if they are found in someone's possession or in a pawn shop.
Booher said his officers have started the program in the Walnut Hills area, which had high reports of break-ins. They started the program in December with people in that neighborhood.
"It's very effective. We did one four-block area around December," said Booher.
Sara Stack lives in Dayton and is already a part of the Identity Protection.
Stack marked her Wii gaming system.
"It's right by the door versus our computers. They are in another room, where it's harder to get to," she said.
Police say after you mark your property to contact your local crime prevention officer for a sticker to put on the front and back door of your home. That will hopefully be a warning to criminals that your property is marked with police.
You can find the pens online for less than $6 or your neighborhood association should be taking part in the tool soon.
Dayton Police are the first in the Miami Valley to use this identification tool. They plan to share it with other departments in the area.
If you live in the East Patrol Operations Division in Dayton you can contact Officer Danielle Cash for the South division or Officer Joe Grieshop for the North division.