Westminster Municipal Code Ch. 3.48 Unclaimed Property

The chief of police shall, on or before the first Monday in November of each year, and may at other times which in his or her discretion appear desirable, make an inventory of all personal property which has come into the possession of the police department and has been unclaimed by the owner and which will, at the time of any proposed sale, have been in the possession of the police department for at least three months.

(Ord. 2362 § 9, 2003)

The inventory provided for in Section 3.48.010 of this chapter shall give a brief description of all property so held. Public notice shall be given by publication in the official newspaper of the city at least five days prior to any proposed sale. The notice shall contain a brief description of property to be sold, the time, place, and manner of sale. It shall also contain a brief description of property to be kept or destroyed, and a statement that all of the listed property will be either sold, kept or destroyed if not claimed by the owner before the date set for the sale.

(Prior code § 3670.1)

The chief of police shall, on the first Saturday in December of each year, and may at other times in his discretion, sell at public auction to the highest bidder all property upon such inventory, except arms or weapons, burglar's tools, liquors and drugs.

(Prior code § 3670.2)

Any unclaimed property which has been properly inventoried, offered for sale and unsold may be summarily destroyed by the chief of police.

(Prior code § 3670.3)

Any arms, weapons, or burglar's tools listed in the notice shall be kept or destroyed by the police department; the chief of police to decide in his or her discretion whether any of such items should be kept or destroyed. All liquors and drugs listed in the notice shall be destroyed immediately after the date of sale.

(Prior code § 3670.4)

All money received from the sale of such property shall be deposited in the general fund of the city.

(Prior code § 3670.5)