The Plainfield Police Department will loan residents engraving guns free of charge to mark valuable items with serial numbers in order to discourage thieves from stealing them.

The program is called Operation Identification and while it may not prevent an item from being taken, it will make it easier for the police to return it to its owner if it's recovered, according to Officer Mark Siegel.

Several engraving kits are available at the police station, 14300 S. Coil Plus Drive. A refundable $20 deposit is required and kits must be returned within a week.

Kits can be taken out from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information, call Siegel at 815-267-7207.