CPD to host engraving event
Students are encouraged to engrave their valuables before spring break.
Published March 16, 2010
The Columbia Police Department is hosting an event Tuesday to help prevent crime over spring break, a CPD news release stated.
CPD will be using its mobile command post from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday on Churchill Drive to make department engravers available to citizens but is specifically targeting the student population, the news release stated. CPD spokeswoman Jessie Haden said people don't realize CPD has engravers that are free of charge and on loan to the public for engraving valuables.
"They're going to have our engravers from the police department that a lot of people don't know we have," Haden said. "We want to make it more accessible to get property engraved."
According to the news release, CPD South Bureau Capt. Dianne Bernhard made this event a priority as a way to prevent burglaries. CPD responded to a large number of burglary reports in November and December 2009. The event is to ensure there isn't a repeat of last winter during spring break, the release stated.
Haden said officers at the event would help attendees learn how to properly use the engravers and where on their valuables to engrave.
"The officers and volunteers will do it for them and explain to them the proper way to engrave something," Haden said. "You don't want to engrave the cover on a battery compartment. You don't want it hidden away in an obscure spot."
Inscriptions engraved on property should be a fixed number, Haden said. Officers encourage people to engrave their driver's license numbers on their valuables, including something specific at the beginning and end of the number. This will prevent someone from adding to the engraving.
"That number can be run and traced," Haden said. "If it's your driver's license number, you will be able to remember that or look it up. We hope it will prevent property from being stolen in the first place."
Officers will also be giving attendees tips on ways to be safe over the break. Haden said valuables that can be taken with students or citizens leaving Columbia should not be left behind. It is also important to identify trusted neighbors who can keep an eye on a home while residents are gone.
"This event allows us the opportunity to remind students about being responsible for their belongings over spring break," Haden said. "This is a free service for anyone, though, not just students."