The Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) is set to announce a major new crime prevention program aimed at combating laptop computer thefts.

Starting March 1, students, faculty and staff can register their notebook computer with HUPD, which will then affix an anti-theft plaque onto the computer's casing. The plaque will help police track stolen laptops, and also serves to lower a stolen laptop's black-market value.

The procedure will cost $10.

HUPD Community Policing Lieutenant William K. Donaldson is spearheading the program, called STOP, for Security Tracking Office Property.

In an interview, Donaldson said that laptop theft is the second most common larceny on campus. Since Jan. 1, 18 computers worth nearly $44,000 have been stolen from Harvard's buildings and grounds.

"It works out to an average $2,450 [per computer]. That's the equivalent of 10 $250 bicycles," Donaldson said.

Nationwide statistics provided by the FBI show that between 6 and 7 percent of stolen computers are returned to their owners.

Harvard has contracted with Stamford, Connecticut-based STOP Inc., whose clients include Raytheon Corp., Ford Motor Co. and General Electric.

STOP will provide HUPD with the anti-theft plaques, which, when cemented to the shells of computers, leave a permanent mark through a chemical indentation process.

The two-by-three-inch plaque contains a metallic bar code and a five-digit registration number.

Donaldson said if thieves try to pry off the plaque, "they'll damage the computer casing."

That, he said, "decreases its resale value."

If a thief succeeds in removing the plaque, the computer will still bear the indelible imprint of the words "stolen property" on its shell.

A toll-free telephone number is printed on the plaque. When police or citizens call the number to report the recovery of a computer, STOP will match the computer's registration number withits proper owner according to company documents.

Donaldson said that thieves who see theanti-theft plaque on the front of laptops willthink twice before committing their crime.

He cites results from a similar program at theUniversity of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

"Four laptops with STOP got stolen. 25 withoutit were stolen" in the same year from UCLA, hesays.

At Atlanta's Clayton State College--where allstudents must buy computers through theuniversity--police officials said the STOP programhad reduced laptop theft, from a situation wherefive to six percent of student computers werestolen annually to just under three percent.

According to information provided by STOP eachplaque costs $8.75. Donaldson says the additional$1.25 will help cover HUPD's overhead costs.

Yale University charges $20, and MIT charges$15 for similar anti-theft plaques, Donaldsonsaid. He says the plaque is worth the cost.

"In February alone, there have been eightlarcenies," he said.

One of the most egregious took place on Feb.11, when a female student had her laptop stolenoutside the Science Center.

The student told police that after sittingdown, she placed the laptop directly to her side.Moments later, it was gone.

"That just takes your breath away," Donaldsonsaid.

In another incident, a friend who borrowed hisroommate's computer left the laptop in the QuincyHouse Common Room. When he returned minutes later,it was gone.

Hauser Hall at the Harvard Law School reportedtwo thefts of laptops, each from unlocked offices,Donaldson said.

HUPD has positively identified a suspect in oneof the thefts, and is "actively pursuing him,"Donaldson said.

For students who traverse the campus with theirlaptop under their arm, Donaldson has thefollowing advice: "Don't forget the value of theitem, and don't leave it unattended. If you seesomeone suspicious, call us."

He said the STOP program was "the third line ofdefense--what in crime prevention terminology iscalled hardening the target."

On March 1, Donaldson and HUPD will begin toposter instructions around campus. The posterswill advise students to call Donaldson at 495-9225before heading to HUPD headquarters on Garden St.to complete the procedure.

Donaldson predicted it will be several yearsbefore HUPD can gauge the effectiveness of theprogram