Compton Municipal Code § 7-10 Lost Property

[Ord. #846, § 3604]

It is hereby made the duty of all officers and employees of the City whenever they find within the City, or whenever there comes into their possession any personal property which the finder or possessor thereof has reason to believe may have been stolen, lost, or abandoned, to deliver the same to the Chief of Police.

[Ord. #856, § 3604.1]

It shall be the duty of the Chief of Police to take charge of and keep in his possession all such property, and he must within a reasonable time inform the owner thereof, if known, and make restitution to him of such property upon demand and without compensation. Should any such property remain unclaimed by its true owner for a period of six months from the date of finding, the Chief of Police is hereby authorized and required to cause the same to be sold at public auction to the highest bidder. Notice of such sale shall be given by the Chief of Police at least five days before the time fixed therefor, by publication in the official newspaper of the City a statement of the time and place fixed therefor, together with a schedule of the property to be offered for sale. Immediately after the completion of any such sale the Chief of Police shall give to the City Controller a statement of the proceeds thereof together with the expense incurred in conducting such sale. The Chief of Police shall forthwith pay such proceeds to the City Controller and the City Controller after deducting the necessary expenses actually incurred shall deposit the balance thereof in the General Fund.

[Ord. #856, § 3604.2]

If there be no bids for any such property offered for sale at auction, the property shall again be offered for sale together with other such unclaimed property at the next auction sale. If such property is not sold at the second auction sale it shall be turned over to the City Manager who shall make such disposition thereof in the public interest as he shall deem fit.