OPERATION ID Program

The Kent Police Department has provided our Blockwatch Stickers as part of their Operation ID program. Operation ID is a burglary prevention program that involves marking property with your Washington State identifier number (your driver's license #). Engraving your property can deter burglary and theft because it makes the items more difficult to "fence", pawn, or sell. It also assists police and prosecutors charge and convict burglars if stolen property is identified in their possession.

Operation ID has two parts:

1. Part One: Mark your valuables with your Washington State Driver's License number - Remembering to mark a "WA" at the front of the number and "DL" at the end of the number so that it cannot be altered. This makes your property easier to identify and should be given to police. Do not use your Social Security number and do not engrave valuables such as heirlooms, paintings, or antiques.

2. Part Two: After you have marked or engraved your property, contact your Blockwatch Captains to obtain your Operation ID decals. The 3" x 4" decals with the Operation ID logo can go on front windows or near any entrance. When you display an Operation ID decal near your front door you are announcing that your valuable property has been marked and will be difficult for a burglar to pawn. I also have 1" x 1" stickers that can be placed on the back of your stereo, TV, or property that provides a visible sign to a burglar that your property has been marked. These decals can also be displayed on vehicle windows.

If you are interested in participating in this program and would like stickers to display, the Kent Police Department has asked me to ask you to commit to engraving or marking at least 1-3 items. If I have enough people interested in engraving their property, I will purchase a small engraving tool and a few invisible ink pens for our Blockwatch that members can check out to engrave their property. I think that displaying the stickers are also a great way to deter potential theft and also lets potential burglars know this is a Blockwatch neighborhood with others nearby watching for suspicious activity! Besides, I now have a giant package of these stickers taking up space in my office! So, come and get your stickers!

Break-in and Robbery on Jason Ave N on Monday, Dec 31

Please be advised of the following incident in our neighborhood on Monday, December 31, 2007:

A neighbor reported that their Jason Ave N home was broken into on Monday, December 31, at approximately 3pm. The burglars appear to have entered the home via the back alley through a back door and ransacked the home and stole several items of value including jewelry. Police were called.