Many D.C. residents have had something stolen from them at one point or another. But did you know that the Metropolitan Police Department participates in an initiative called “Operation ID,” which can help you get your possessions back? It’s a simple system: MPD will give you a free ultraviolet pen, which you then use to mark your stuff with something identifiable, like your last name and driver’s license number. When the cops make a bust, they’ll scan the recovered goods — officers are trained to look in certain areas depending on the item — and, if there’s a notation, they’ll be able to reunite you with your belongings. It’s hardly a perfect system (the ink can smudge and criminals probably can get their hands on a black light with ease), but hey, something’s better than nothing, right?

A closer look at the list of items which police suggest that you mark up with the pen (to the right) features all the usual casualties of theft: MP3 players, televisions and bicycles. But there’s certainly some interesting suggestions on this list. For example, I don’t know of many women who are rushing to write on their jewelry with invisible ink. (Not to mention — how are you supposed to write your name and driver’s license number on, say, a pair of diamond earrings?) I also don’t recall there being a spree of vacuum cleaner and fishing rod thefts in the District recently.

But of course, one item on this list really caught our eye. That’s right, D.C. — do make sure to put that invisible ink on your guns. Because, you know, if it gets stolen and used in a crime, you’ll definitely want the police to be able to trace that back to you.