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More recovered property leads to big increase in funds from police auctions

The first goal with recovered property is always to return it to its rightful owner, said deputy chief Paul Martin
20160202 Guelph Police Service Sign KA
File photo. Kenneth Armstrong/GuelphToday

An increase in stolen property collected by the Guelph Police Service has led to an increase in funds being brought in by police auctions.

The first goal with recovered property is always to return it to its rightful owner, said deputy chief Paul Martin.

“The goal is to return it, because honestly we don’t have the space to store it,” Martin told GuelphToday after Thursday’s meeting of the Guelph Police Services Board.

Property is held for a minimum of 90 days.

In 2015, the Guelph Police Service received just over $9,800 from its police auction, as well as from unclaimed cash. In 2019, that figure grew to more than $35,000.

“Primarily that uptick is absolute volume of the things we take in,” said Martin.

The Guelph Police Property/Firearm office is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Monday to Friday for inquiries about claiming property or questions about lost, found or seized items.

For its auctions, the Guelph Police currently utilize an online service at www.policeauctionscanada.com, which the service says is more cost effective than holding in-person auctions and allows more people in the community to participate. 

A side benefit to the increase in funds coming in through the auction and recovered cash is it has allowed the Guelph Police to increase contributions to support non-profits and community groups.

In 2019, Guelph Police contributed a total of $25,000 from its community account to local non profits and community groups, including a $20,000 contribution to the Welcoming Streets initiative for 2019 and 2020.

“It’s one of those projects that has had a big benefit to the downtown,” said Martin of Welcoming Streets.

During Thursday’s meeting, the board received an update report on the $34.1-million renovation of the Guelph Police Service headquarters.

With an expected completion date later this summer, the report said the project team is  working to complete the project within the approved budget.

Recent progress on the project includes the completion of the chief’s office and new offices in the west end of the facility. Some demolition has proceeded in the central portion of the building and construction deficiencies are being addressed in the new detention areas and garage.

Speaking to GuelphToday after the meeting, Martin said the project is in its closing months. 

“At this point, it’s within budget. It’s close,” he said.


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Kenneth Armstrong

About the Author: Kenneth Armstrong

Kenneth Armstrong is a news reporter and photojournalist who regularly covers municipal government, business and politics and photographs events, sports and features.
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