Premature Purging in the Spotlight

This article from yesterday’s the San Francisco Chronicle, highlights yet again the awesome responsibility we share as custodians of property and evidence.

The intake, maintenance, storage, security, and disposal, of all property and evidence should be managed with the utmost care and in accordance with all laws.

Above all, you should not be disposing of any Property or Evidence without prior approval from the prosecuting attorney or investigating officer in every case. 

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Our hearts and prayers are with all at the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department this week. R.I.P. Deputy Paris.

Project: Clean Cave

When I visit evidence rooms, more often than not, I find they are typically understaffed and overworked.

If you're one of those legions of folks, start with one corner. By that, I mean to select one project or even a corner of your evidence room and devise a plan to tackle the issue.

Consider revising a policy, clean off a shelf or section of shelves, request an "All Law Enforcement Audit" through California Department of Justice. Give yourself an end date and whittle away at the proverbial pile.

You may even consider taking before and after photos. It can be so rewarding to recognize your progress. You'll soon be amazed how soon you see results!

Out with the Old, In with the New

Be it your new year’s resolution or early spring cleaning, it’s great to keep in mind services like PropertyRoom.com that help you to clean out old property and put the income back into your department.

PropertyRoom.com’s service is quick, efficient, and now even allows for FedEx to pick up your smaller boxed items. It’s a great way to purge your property and evidence rooms on a monthly basis, as well as avoid the fuel surcharge.

As a side note, their barcode system is beyond reproach. It works so well to track all your items quickly and easily during an audit.