Montebello Municipal Code Ch. 3.12 Lost or Unclaimed Property

All lost, abandoned or unclaimed personal property, other than live animals, coming into the possession of the city or any officer or department thereof shall immediately be turned over to the custody of the police department. Such property shall be held by the police department for a period of at least three months unless sooner claimed and restored.

(Ord. 2070 § 10, 1992: prior code § 2700)

If, at any time prior to the sale or destruction thereof as hereinafter provided, any such property is claimed by any person who establishes his right to the possession thereof to the satisfaction of the chief of police or his authorized deputy in charge of such property, such personal property shall be delivered to such person provided the person shall first pay to the police department the reasonable cost to the city of holding, protection and returning the property.

(Prior code § 2701)

If any such property shall remain unclaimed and unrestored for at least four months, the property shall be sold at public auction to the highest bidder at such time or times as the chief of police shall determine. Such action shall be conducted by the chief of police or any agent appointed by him for that purpose. Such property may be sold separately or in such lot or lots as the auctioneer may determine. The purchaser at such auction sale shall take a clear title to the property purchased free of any equity of redemption.

(Prior code § 2702)

Notice of each such action sale shall be given by the chief of police at least five days and not more than twenty days before the time fixed therefor by publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation, printed, and published and circulated in the city.

(Prior code § 2703)

If the chief of police determines that articles to be sold at auction are needed for public use, he shall notify the city purchasing agent and have the property transferred to the appropriate department.

(Prior code § 2706)

If any such property shall be so offered for sale at such public auction as herein provided, and shall not be sold, such property shall be destroyed by the chief of police.

(Prior code § 2704)

In the event of any dispute regarding the administration or application of this chapter, appeal may be made to the city council and the city council shall thereupon settle such dispute.

(Prior code § 2705)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the chief of police may direct that bicycles or toys, or both, in the possession of the police department, which have been unclaimed for a period of at least sixty days, may, instead of being sold at public auction to the highest bidder, be turned over to the probation officer, to the welfare department of Los Angeles County, or to any charitable or non-profit organization which is authorized under is articles of incorporation to participate in a program or activity designed to prevent juvenile delinquency and which is exempt from taxation under federal or state law, or both, for use in any program or activity designed to prevent juvenile delinquency.

(Ord. 2163 § 1, 1997)