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Indiana police tap treated water to fight theft

By WTOP Staff

CHARLES D. WILSON
Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A northwestern Indiana police department on Tuesday became one of the first law enforcement agencies in the country to distribute a theft-deterring chemical that leaves DNA-like “signatures” on property and those who attempt to steal it.

Makers of SmartWater CSI say the product makes it easy to track stolen items and link thieves to crimes they’ve committed. Although it has seldom been used in the United States beyond Florida, company officials say it’s been used in Europe for several years.

“I call it virtual DNA. It specifically ties that item or items to that individual owner. It’s that specific,” said Porter County Sheriff David Lain, who began distributing SmartWater through a local senior advocacy group Tuesday.

When treated with SmartWater, stolen valuables can be returned to their proper owner, its makers and supporters say. The chemical can be applied to items by owners or can be sprayed in a fine mist to mark burglars who try to enter property. It’s invisible until placed under black light.

The company claims the substance, which is made from “rare earths and chemicals,” can create up to 1 billion distinct chemical signatures.

After seeing a recent presentation on SmartWater, Lain was so convinced it would help discourage thieves that he ordered 150 vials at $35 each to be given away to seniors. Lain said Tuesday he is considering ordering 100 additional kits out of jail commissary funds.

“I think I want to go further. It’s a matter of financing more than anything,” Lain said.

The chemical also has been distributed in several neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where Police Chief Frank Adderley said he is considering expanding to two more.

Logan Pierson, president of the company’s Fort Lauderdale-based U.S. operations, said traces of the chemical can stay on people for years. But whether it will hold up as evidence in court isn’t known.

Pierson said SmartWater has been used in one conviction and has been a factor in several plea agreements, but he said the company expected legal challenges in the U.S. because it’s a new product here.

A Florida law firm has offered to defend suspects who have been sprayed with SmartWater on the basis of its long-term effect.

Adderley said burglaries in one Fort Lauderdale neighborhood dropped 14 percent in one year after residents began using the substance. But he acknowledged that police also used tactics such as covert operations.

SmartWater’s main value, supporters say, is as a deterrent.

Adderley said burglars avoid homes with SmartWater warning stickers, and suspects are repeatedly shown signs during booking about the hazards of targeting homes using SmartWater.

Lain, the Porter County sheriff, is eager to see how the product works in his community.

“Everybody knows the value of DNA,” Lain said. “So I think the idea of something having a marker that is individual and unique to an individual is something that people very much understand.”

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Follow Charles D. Wilson on Twitter: https://twitter.com/_cdwilson.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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