El Segundo Municipal Code Ch. 10 Unclaimed Property

The Police Chief shall make provision for receiving and safekeeping found property and money delivered to him or coming into his possession. A receipt shall be issued to the person delivering the property or money. (Ord. 617, 2-3-1964)

The property, except unclaimed bicycles, shall be held in a safe place and the money deposited with the Chief Financial Officer for a period of at least six (6) months, and unclaimed bicycles shall be held for a period of at least three (3) months, unless sooner claimed by the true owner, and shall then be deemed to be unclaimed property or unclaimed money, subject to disposal as provided in this Chapter. (Ord. 617, 2-3-1964; amd. Ord. 1620, 11-17-2020)

During such time as any such property or money is so held, it may be delivered or paid to the true owner. The property shall be delivered upon proof of ownership satisfactory to the Police Chief after ten (10) days’ notice by mail to any others who have asserted a claim of ownership, at any address given by the persons. The money shall be paid to the true owner upon written order to the Chief Financial Officer from the Police Chief. The Police Chief shall make the order upon the same proof of ownership and with the same notice as prescribed in the case of property. If ownership cannot be determined to the satisfaction of the Police Chief, he may refuse to deliver the property or order the payment of the money to anyone until ordered to do so by a court. (Ord. 671, 2-3-1964; amd. Ord. 1620, 11-17-2020)

If the true owner does not appear during the time the property or money is so held, and claim the property or money, it may be delivered back to the finder, other than a City employee who found the same while performing his regular duty, if the finder has served written notice upon the City that he wishes to assert a claim to the property or money as a finder, and if he has complied with the requirement of the State Civil Code governing the duties and obligations of a finder. (Ord. 617, 2-3-1964)

All monies so received by the Police Chief and not delivered to the true owner during a six (6) month period or the finder, shall thereafter be deposited in the General Fund. (Ord. 617, 2-3-1964)

Upon expiration of the initial three (3) or six (6) month period, as such may be applicable, any property so received and not delivered to the true owner or finder may be appropriated to the use of the City upon order of the City Manager, and property not appropriated to City use may be sold at public auction to the highest bidder. Notice of the sale shall be given by the Police Chief at least five (5) days before the time fixed therefor by at least one publication in a newspaper of general circulation within the City. (Ord. 617, 2-3-1964)

After the auction is completed, the Chief Financial Officer shall deposit the proceeds of the auction in the General Fund. (Ord. 617, 2-3-1964; amd. Ord. 1620, 11-17-2020)

Any property advertised and offered for sale but not sold and not suitable for appropriation to the use of the City shall be deemed to be of no value and shall be disposed of in such manner as the City Manager directs. (Ord. 617, 2-3-1964)

Any property coming into the possession of the Police Chief which he determines to be dangerous or perishable may be disposed of immediately, without notice, in such manner as he determines to be in the public interest. (Ord. 617, 2-3-1964)

The provisions of this Chapter shall not be deemed to apply to property subject to confiscation under the laws of the State or of the United States of America, and shall apply to property held as evidence only when the same is unclaimed by any person and no other provisions of law are applicable concerning its disposition. (Ord. 617, 2-3-1964)