DEPARTMENT: San Antonio Police Department
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DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED:? City-wide
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SUBJECT: Arrestee Property
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SUMMARY:
On January 25, 2021, Councilmember Cabello Havrda initiated a Council Consideration Request to assess the feasibility, budget impact, and revenue loss associated with the elimination of the property storage fee for the return of personal property of those arrested and/or detained.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In 2009, as part of the FY 2010 Annual Budget Process, the City Council approved the implementation of a $25 property storage fee to allow the City to partially recover the cost associated with retrieval of an arrested person's personal property. Prior to 2018, the arrested person was allowed to keep all property that would fit in an 81/2 x 11" envelope when taken to Jail, and other property would be stored at the City's Property Room. In December of 2018, Bexar County updated their property intake policy which only allows an arrested individual to bring one credit card, one form of identification, a cell phone, keys and up to $1,000 in cash with them to the Jail. Property not allowed in the Jail include items such as jewelry, wallets and handbags which are stored at the City's Property Room. As a result of this change SAPD has seen an increase in impound personal property.
There are some exemptions allowed under the current SAPD Policy including:
* Homeless/Indigent Individuals are exempt from the fee
* Food Stamps (Lone Star Cards) can be retrieved without having to pay the fee
* Keys to an impounded vehicle can be retrieved without having to pay the fee
* Medication can be retrieved without having to pay the fee
The cost of operating the property room exceeds the revenue generated by the storage fee. The annual operating cost is approximately $1.1 million and includes the building operating cost and personnel. The table below provides for ...
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