One drop is all it takes to protect your valuables

By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life/ [email protected]

​NORTH PALM BEACH _ The North Palm Beach police have a new addition to their crime prevention efforts, and it comes in a bottle.

It's called Smartwater, and a small drop it all it takes to help protect your valuables.

Smartwater, developed by a retired police officer and his chemist brother in England in the late 1990s, has since proven its effectiveness in apprehending suspects and identifying stolen merchandise. Police launched the program here in May, and Sergeant. Lou Pearson, along with Captain Angela Dallesandro explained how it works.

Inside the Smartwater CSI kit is a vial of "Forensic Coding Solution" and an applicator.  "Inside that liquid is a numerical code specific to the resident who purchases the product," said Pearson. "All it takes the smallest little drop."

The kit contains a registration form that goes to the Smartwater CSI company "and they register that specific numerical code," Pearson said.  If an item turns up stolen, "we have a special flashlight that can illuminate the liquid."  If the results match, the stolen item can be returned to its owner.

Virtually anything  -- rings, watches, computers, phones -- can be marked. Pearson said one bottle can mark around 85 items.

"It goes on milky white, but it dries clear. It does not harm the property; it's non-toxic to humans and pets and it can last on that item for up to five years."

The kits, already in use by many North Palm residents, retail for around $100, but can be purchased using a special code from the police for $42 plus tax. Also included are window stickers that warn would-be thieves, "Forensic Systems in Use."

Police Captain Angela Dallesandro said the next phase is rolling out a special version of Smartwater CSI for boats and other maritime items.

"We are interested in people with vessels to come forward and  want to start within the the next month," said Dallesandro.

​Pearson has demonstrated the product so many times his hands have a fluorescent glow when the special flashlight is used.

"You can't wash it off," he said, which he noted is not good news for the bad  guys who come in contact with it.

Sergeant Lou Pearson

Credit: Smartwater