THE PROGRAM BASICALLY CONSISTS OF TWO ASPECTS: (1) INDUCING PEOPLE TO MARK THEIR HOUSEHOLD AND COMMERCIAL EFFECTS WITH SOME UNIQUE, TRACEABLE NUMBER; AND (2) CONSPICUOUSLY DISPLAYING WINDOW AND DOOR DECALS TO IDENTIFY PARTICIPANTS. ITS GOALS ARE TO DETER POTENTIAL OFFENDERS; IMPROVE THE CHANCES OF APPREHENSION THROUGH ANTIFENCING OPERATIONS; FACILITATE THE EFFICIENT RETURN OF STOLEN PROPERTY; AND ASSIST IN THE IDENTIFICATION OF PROPERTY IN COURT PROCEEDINGS. AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CONCEPT OF IDENT PROGRAMS DESCRIBES THEIR MAJOR PROGRAM ELEMENTS, I.E., CRIME PREVENTION, COMMUNITY EDUCATION, COMMUNITY RELATIONS, AND TARGET HARDENING. THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE PROGRAM AS IT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN OTTAWA IS DESCRIBED IN DETAIL, INCLUDING SELECTION OF THE DISTINCTIVE IDENTIFICATION MARK; TOOLS, EQUIPMENT AND METHODS USED TO MARK VARIOUS TYPES OF ARTICLES; AND ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL TECHNIQUES. SAMPLE RADIO COMMERCIALS, DESIGNS FOR DECALS AND POSTERS, AND OTHER DEVICES ARE PRESENTED, AND THE PROCEDURE FOR LENDING ENGRAVING PENCILS TO PARTICIPANTS IS DESCRIBED. THE EFFECTS OF SPECIFIC COMMUNITY PROGRAMS WITHIN OTTAWA ARE OUTLINED. VARIATIONS ON THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING BICYCLE, VENDING MACHINE, AND DOG IDENTIFICATION AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR BUSINESSES, SENIOR CITIZENS, AND OWNERS OF VACATION HOMES ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. A FINAL SECTION PROVIDES SUGGESTIONS FOR OTHER POLICE FORCES WHO MAY WISH TO IMPLEMENT SIMILAR PROGRAMS. (VDA)