For the first time this year the crime rate for house burglaries is up five per cent in the Skinker-DeBaliviere area. One burglar has admitted to 91 house break-ins in this area.
Reason for the increase: Jack Wright, chairman of the crime committee, speculates, “The area south of Forest Park has participated heavily in
Project Ident, and I think the burglars are moving this way.” Project Ident is effective only if a community participates fully. The project, begun by the Skinker-DeBaliviere Council, involves the use of etchers to etch each person’s driver’s license number on an irremovable part of his valuables. A sticker is placed in a prominent place warning burglars that the goods are permanently marked.
Communities which have used this method report it is effective because it prevents the burglar from fencing his goods. They are too easily identifiable.
With the holiday season approaching, it is imperative that more residents participate in this project. The use of the etcher is free: Simply call or go to the Skinker-DeBaliviere office, 6008 Kingsbury, 862-5122.
Residents can also obtain etchers from the Seventh District Police Department and the Women’s Crusade Against Crime.
Originally published in The Paper, December 1972.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1972_12.pdf, printed page(s) 4.
