PG County Has A Fascinating New Plan To Stop Theft

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Authorities in Prince George's County are using an interesting new method to catch thieves in the county: a technology called "SmartWater," which allows residents to mark their possessions so they can be found later if stolen.

The county has put up blue signs in multiple communities that warns would-be thieves that SmartWater is being used in the area, according to a report from the Prince George's County Police Department.

"The technology, created by SmartWater out of the United Kingdom, allows residents to mark their personal belongings with a liquid containing a unique forensic code," the report states. "Once SmartWater is applied, the liquid can only be seen under a unique light. This marking allows stolen items to be identified more easily and will help our detectives investigate these crimes. Residents can mark everything from their cellphones to televisions, computers, expensive tools, bicycles, lawn equipment, and beyond. SmartWater is a silent and invisible witness."

The thieves won't know if the items have liquid on them or not, "but we will when we located the property," the report adds.

For more information on the technology, visit SmartWaterCSI.com.

Image via PGPD