Property & Evidence

The Property and Evidence Unit is open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Property and Evidence Unit is responsible for maintaining any and all property that is submitted to the West Melbourne Police Department via the front desk or by an officer. These items can be anything from found property, safekeeping property, items for destruction and items taken for evidence purposes.

Lost, Found & Safekeeping

Property Per Florida Statute 705.104 any property that is found or in safekeeping will be kept for a period of 90 days before it begins the disposal process. If property has a known owner, then the known owner will be contacted via mail and given 15 days from the date on the notification letter to retrieve the named property or it will be disposed of.

Found Property Claims

Under Florida Law 705.104 certain items of found property that is turned over to the police department may be returned to the finder if they are interested in retrieving the items. It is the responsibility of the finder to contact the police department in order to make arrangements to collect the property.

Unclaimed Evidence

Per Florida Statute 705.105 unclaimed evidence will be disposed of or becomes the property of the police department if it is not retrieved within 60 days after the conclusion of the criminal proceedings. All property that goes unclaimed and is not used by the police department is auctioned off through Property Room or GovDeals.

Firearms

Anyone wishing to retrieve a firearm that has been taken into the custody of the police department will be subjected to a background check in order to confirm that they are legally allowed to posses that firearm. If it is determined that the individual is a convicted felon they will not be able to retrieve the firearm.

Claiming Property

Property can be claimed at the West Melbourne Police Department Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. One must be the owner or have legal rights to retrieve the property in order for it to be released. Government issued identification is required in order to retrieve property, also please call ahead in order to confirm that the property is releasable and that the Evidence Custodian will be available to release the property as they are the only person who is able to release the property.