Operation PIN may protect students’ property from theft and loss

By Lawren Shepard
Campus Life Editor

Operation PIN is a program provided by the UNCP campus police department in an effort to keep students’ belongings safe from loss or theft.

The University Police have an electric engraver that students use to permanently mark their laptops, televisions, DVD players or other expensive possessions with their driver’s license or social security number.

Students fill out a form recording the brand, model, and serial number of their property. The information is kept on file at the police department and a copy can be provided to the student’s dorm supervisor.

If the property is ever lost or stolen, the police can use the information to identify and recover the item.

Students can borrow the engraver from the police station by signing it out, and over the next few weeks, campus police will be set up in each residence hall to provide students with the chance to participate in the program.

The officers will be in Belk Hall on April 5, Pine Hall on April 7, the University Village apartments on April 12 and North Hall on April 14. The programs begin at 6 p.m. on these days.

In 2003, there were 20 cases of burglary and 60 cases of larceny on campus, according to the annual police and public safety report.

Participation in Operation PIN is recommended to all resident students, according to the campus police website.

For more information and the PIN form, visit www.uncp.edu/police/pin.