(a) Property which has been lost, abandoned, stolen or lawfully seized or forfeited, and which is in the custody of the Golf Manor Police Department shall be kept safely pending the time it is no longer needed as evidence, and disposed of pursuant to this section.
(b) The Police Department shall make a reasonable effort to locate the persons entitled to possession of the property in its custody, and to notify them when and where it may be claimed. In the absence of evidence identifying persons entitled to possession, it is sufficient notice to advertise in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, briefly describing the nature of the property in custody and inviting persons to view and establish their right to it.
(c) A person loses any right he may have to possession of property:
(1) Which was the subject, or was used in a conspiracy or attempt to commit, or the commission of an offense other than a traffic offense, and such person is a conspirator, accomplice, or offender with respect to the offense; or
(2) When, in light of the nature of the property or the circumstances of such person, it is unlawful for him to acquire or possess it.
(Ord. 81-12. Passed 7-13-81.)
(d) If, after notification to the party entitled to possession of the property, or advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in the County as provided by subsection (b) hereof, the property remains unclaimed for a period of ninety days, or is forfeited, the property shall be sold, upon written authorization by the Mayor, which sale shall be made by the Chief of Police, or a licensed auctioneer at public auction, after giving due notice of the auction by advertisement, published once a week for three successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the County. The proceeds from such sale shall be deposited to the Police Department Trust Fund and administered in accordance with the procedures for such Fund.
(Ord. 92-6. Passed 4-13-92.)
(e) This section is not intended to apply to the collection, storage, or disposal of abandoned junk motor vehicles, drugs, firearms, dangerous ordnances or obscene material.
(Ord. 81-12. Passed 7-13-81.)