(a) Whenever personal property of any nature is turned over to any department of the City by the finder thereof, such property shall immediately be placed in the custody of the Chief of Police.
(b) The Chief of Police shall, in accordance with the requirements of Ohio R.C. 2933.41 (B), immediately make a diligent effort to find the original owner thereof, including the legal notice of the finding of such property to be published in the local newspaper once a week for four consecutive weeks.
(c) When an individual claiming to be the true owner of such property establishes to the satisfaction of the Chief of Police, he or she is, in fact, the true owner of such property, the Chief of Police shall then give possession to such owner. The Chief of Police shall obtain a written notarized statement from the owner that such property belongs to him or her and he or she acknowledges delivery of such property by the Chief of Police.
(d) If advertising for a period of four consecutive weeks, as provided for in sub-section (b) herein, fails to establish ownership thereof, the Chief of Police shall give possession of such property to the finder. The Chief of Police shall obtain from the finder, a receipt that indicates possession of such property has been given to him or her. (Ord. 1977-104. Passed 6-1-77.)