An accurate list of your valuables is important when it comes time to report a theft or burglary to the police department or your insurance agent.  A complete listing of your valuables and their identifiers also helps increase your chances of having your property returned should it be stolen.  Marked items are more difficult to fence or resell.

Where Do I Start?

Make an inventory of your home using the Operation Identification brochure to list each of your valuable items with their model and serial number and other identifiers.

Generally, other identifiers are a set of letters and numbers that are unique to you which you apply to the object using an engraver.  These are also known as Owner Applied Numbers (OAN).  For example, your driver license number may be applied to the back of your television set next to the serial number in the following format:

OR1234567DL

Using this format indicates to law enforcement officials that it is an Oregon driver license number and a quick database inquiry connects the item to you.  Also, writing OR at the start and DL at the end eliminates the possibility of changing the number.  Never use a Social Security number.

Other Tips

• Avoid engraving on removable parts, such as lids or battery compartment doors, etc.
• The Salem Police Department has electric engravers available.  Contact the Crime Prevention Unit to borrow an engraver to identify your property. 
• Take at least two photographs of each valuable; one showing the object in its entirety and the other showing its serial number and/or OAN.  Consider using a video recorder.
• Keep your receipts.

Thank you for your interest in the Operation Identification program.  For additional information, please contact the Crime Prevention Unit at 503-588-6175 or email us at crimeprevention@cityofsalem.net.