For the purposes of this article, the term "unclaimed personal property" shall mean any personal property belonging to another which has been acquired by a police officer pursuant to his duties, which is not needed in any criminal prosecution, which has not been claimed by its rightful owner and which the state treasurer has indicated will be declined, if remitted under the Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act (Section 55-210.1 et seq., of the Code of Virginia).
State law reference – Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-1719.
(Code 1985 § 20-32)
Lost, stolen, abandoned and legally confiscated personal property and other personal property which comes into the possession of the police department shall be adequately identified, so that a record can be established by the department showing the time, date, place and circumstances under which possession of the property was acquired, as well as an appropriate description of the property, to readily identify it at a later date. Such property shall be safely stored so that it will not be damaged, misplaced or stolen while in the possession of the police department.
(Code 1964 § 21-18; Code 1985 § 20-33)
The chief of police shall endeavor to locate the owner of any property referred to in SCC § 2.85.130 and return it to the owner, if there is no justification by law to retain the property in the custody of the department.
(Code 1964 § 21-19; Code 1985 § 20-34)
(1) 
Generally.
(a) 
Any unclaimed personal property which has been in the possession of the police department and unclaimed for a period of more than 60 days may be disposed of by the chief of police by public sale.
(b) 
Prior to the sale of any unclaimed property under this section, the chief of police shall make reasonable attempts to notify the rightful owner of the property, obtain from the commonwealth's attorney, in writing, a statement advising that the property is not needed in any criminal prosecution and cause to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the city, once a week for two successive weeks, notice that there will be a public sale of such unclaimed personal property. Such property shall be described generally in the notice, together with the date, time and place of the sale.
(2) 
Bicycles, Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices, Electric Power-Assisted Bicycles or Mopeds.
(a) 
Any bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle or moped that has been in the possession of the police department, unclaimed, for more than 30 days may be donated to a charitable organization.
(b) 
Prior to such donation, the chief of police or designee shall post notice on the city's website and at one other public place for at least two weeks of the reported location and the description of the bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle or moped.
State law reference – Authority for subsection (1) and provisions similar to subsection (2) of this section, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-1719.
(Code 1964 §§ 21-20, 21-22; Code 1985 § 20-35; Ord. 2009-17)
The chief of police shall pay from the proceeds of a sale pursuant to SCC § 2.85.150, the costs of advertisement, removal, storage, investigation as to ownership and liens and notice of sale. The balance of the funds shall be held by the chief of police for the owner of the property sold and paid to the owner upon satisfactory proof of ownership. If no claim has been made by the owner for the proceeds of such sale within 60 days of the sale, the remaining funds shall be deposited in the general fund of the city. Any such owner shall be entitled to apply to the city, within three years from the date of the sale, and if timely application is made therefor, the city shall pay the remaining proceeds of the sale to the owner, without interest or other charges. No claim shall be made nor any suit, action or proceeding be instituted for the recovery of such funds after three years from the date of the sale.
State law reference – Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-1719.
(Code 1985 § 20-36)
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article, property in the possession of the police department which has no value, which is inherently dangerous or which is prohibited from possession by law may be destroyed in the manner prescribed by the chief of police; provided, however, if such property came into the possession of the police department as evidence, it may be so destroyed only with the approval of the commonwealth's attorney.
(Code 1964 §§ 21-20, 21-22; Code 1985 § 20-38)
When state statutes or city ordinances provide for policies or procedures for the disposal of property which would otherwise be covered by this article, the provisions of this article shall be subordinate to any conflicting provisions of such statutes or ordinances.
(Code 1964 § 21-23; Code 1985 § 20-39)