Riverside Municipal Code Ch. 2.20 Unclaimed Property

Unclaimed property in the possession of the Police Department of the City shall be cared for, restored to its owner, sold or destroyed as herein provided and consistent with the laws of the State.

(Ord. 4356 § 1 (part), 1976; prior code § 23A.1)

A. Every item of unclaimed property in the possession of the Police Department shall be held for a period of at least three months.

B. A record of each item of such property shall be made and kept by the Police Department, showing the date when and the circumstances under which such property was received.

C. If the ownership of the property is known or reasonably ascertained, an effort shall be made to notify the owner that such property is in the possession of the Police Department.

D. During the period of time that such property is in the possession of the Police Department, it shall be made available for inspection by any person who claims ownership or a right of possession of lost or stolen property and who describes such property and the circumstances of its loss.

(Ord. 6393 § 6, 1997; Ord. 4356 § 1 (part), 1976; prior code § 23A.2)

The Police Department shall restore any such property in its possession that is no longer needed for a criminal investigation to the person submitting proof of ownership or right of possession which is satisfactory to the Chief of Police. A receipt for such property, containing the name and address of the claimant and provision for his identification, shall be signed by the claimant and retained by the Police Department as a part of the original record showing when and the circumstances under which such property was received.

(Ord. 7341 § 2, 2016; Ord. 4356 § 1 (part), 1976; prior code § 23A.3)

A. Unclaimed property, excepting bicycles, in the possession of the Police Department which has been held by the Police Department for a period of at least three months shall be offered for sale to the public at public auction. Unclaimed bicycles in the possession of the Police Department which have been held for a period of at least three months shall be scheduled for auction; provided, however, any such bicycles may be transferred in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.20.045.

B. The auction of unclaimed property may be held concurrently with an auction of surplus City property. Such unclaimed property shall be sold at public auction to the highest bidder for cash.

C. Notices of all such sales shall be given by posting copies of notices at City Hall and in a conspicuous place near the entrance of the Police Department. Such notices shall be so posted for at least five days preceding each sale. Copies of notices of sale shall be published at least one time in a newspaper of general circulation published within the City, the date of the last publication to be at least five days before the date of sale. Such notices of sale shall contain general descriptions of the kinds of items of property to be sold, but definite descriptions of each of the several items are not required.

D. Notwithstanding subsections A and B of this section, if the Purchasing Division of the City determines that any unclaimed property transferred to it for sale is needed for a public use, such property may be retained by the City and need not be sold. Unclaimed property transferred to the Purchasing Division shall not be redeemable by the owner or other person entitled to possession.

(Ord. 7341 § 2, 2016; Ord. 6258 § 1, 1995: Ord. 4356 § 1 (part), 1976; prior code § 23A.4)

Any unclaimed bicycles in the possession of the Police Department which have been held for a period of at least three months may, instead be offered for sale at a public auction, be transferred to the probation officer or to the Welfare Department of the County of Riverside for use in any program or activities designed to prevent juvenile delinquency or to any charitable or nonprofit organization which is authorized under its articles of incorporation to participate in a program or activity designed to prevent juvenile delinquency and which is exempt from income taxation under federal or State law, or both, for use in any program or activity designed to prevent juvenile delinquency. Prior to any such transfer, the Chief of Police shall submit a written report to the Chief Financial Officer advising of the number of bicycles to be transferred; whether the bicycles are being transferred to the probation officer, the Welfare Department or to a charitable or nonprofit organization; and if the transfer is to a charitable or nonprofit organization, the name and address and federal or State tax-exempt identification number of such charitable or nonprofit organization.

(Ord. 7341 § 2, 2016; Ord. 6258 § 2, 1995)

The Purchasing Services Manager shall make a record of the amount of money received for each item of property sold at each sale and shall deliver such record to the Chief Financial Officer immediately after the date of each sale. All money received as proceeds of such sales shall be delivered to the Chief Financial Officer and deposited in its general fund.

(Ord. 7341 § 2, 2016; Ord. 4356 § 1 (part), 1976; prior code § 23A.5)

Unclaimed property offered for sale as provided in Section 2.20.040(A) without any bid being made therefor, which is determined to be of no value may be destroyed by the auction service or delivered to some nonprofit organization approved by the Purchasing Services Manager which may be able to make some beneficial use of such property.

(Ord. 7341 § 2, 2016; Ord. 4356 § 1 (part), 1976; prior code § 23A.6)