Within the meaning hereof, "unclaimed property" means all personal property coming into the possession of the sheriff of the county which, in the opinion of the sheriff, need not be preserved as evidence to be used in connection with the investigation or prosecution of crime, the owners of which property are unknown or cannot be located after appropriate inquiry and to which no valid claim of ownership is made.
(Ord. 2011-11 §2)
All unclaimed property, as defined in Section 2.44.010, shall be held by the sheriff for a period of at least four months, except unclaimed bicycles, which shall be held for a period of at least three months. If the rightful owner or owners appear to claim such property prior to its transfer under Section 2.44.030, the sheriff shall restore the property to the owner or owners upon satisfactory proof of ownership being presented to him or her.
(Ord. 2011-11 §2)
Whenever any unclaimed property has remained unclaimed for the period of time set forth in Section 2.44.020, such property may be transferred by the sheriff pursuant to Section 2.44.050 or to the county purchasing agent.
(Ord. 2011-11 §2)
The unclaimed property transferred under Section 2.44.030 to the county purchasing agent shall be sold by him or her pursuant to Article 7, Chapter 5, Part 2, Division 2, Title 3 of the Government Code (Section 25500 et seq.); except such property as he or she determines is needed for a public use, which property may be retained by the county for such public use. Such of the property as the sheriff or purchasing agent determines is of no value may be destroyed or disposed of by him or her as refuse.
(Ord. 2011-11 §2)
Whenever any unclaimed bicycles or toys remain unclaimed in the possession of the sheriff for the period set forth in Section 2.44.020, the sheriff may transfer such property to the probation officer or to the welfare department for use in any program of activities designed to prevent juvenile delinquency.
(Ord. 2011-11 §2)