The Automobile Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA) along with The Dearborn Police Department will be holding a free Vehicle VIN etching event on Friday Oct. 8 and Saturday Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dearborn Police Department in the east parking lot.

Dearborn police say this is the first VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) etching in our city. While all vehicles are built with unique VIN numbers on various parts, window VIN etching is believed to be a proven theft deterrent because the VIN is etched on to all of a vehicle’s windows. Police say would-be thieves resist stealing a vehicle that is VIN-etched because that vehicle is more easily identified and, if stolen, all glass must be replaced in order to remove traces of the VIN.

This is a free service provided by the Dearborn Police Department and the ATPA.