Property Room

The property section holds belongings that have been turned into the lost and found as well as prisoner property for the Forest Park Police Department.

The evidence section is responsible for receiving, storing, releasing and maintaining security of a wide variety of items. Property received by the evidence section includes but is not limited to cash, jewelry, guns and various weapons, narcotics, vehicles, bikes, blood samples, urine samples and other evidence related to assaults, homicides and other crimes.

The best way to claim property is to have up-to-date records, pictures or video noting serial and model numbers, if available, or to place an “owner applied number” on items without a serial number. Unique numbers make identifying and matching items to the rightful owner simpler, as a national database is used to track stolen and recovered items via serial number – once the item is reported. However, if this information is not available, a detailed description will help, as will a general idea of when and where the property was lost or stolen. The property section holds found property for 90 Days, after which time items may be disposed of or auctioned off. Items of a personal nature (such as identification or credit cards) are destroyed.

To see if the property/evidence section is holding your property, please be prepared to answer the following questions:

• What is the property and description?
• Does it have a serial number?
• Where and when was it lost or stolen?
• Did you report it lost or stolen?

The property/evidence section will make every effort to return property to the rightful owner(s). If an item is turned in where it can be traced back to someone by name, phone number, address or serial number, attempts to contact the owner via phone or letter to make arrangements to return the item.

Found Property: Once ownership is determined or can be proved, it is recommended that you contact the police department to make arrangements to pick up your property. You must show picture identification at the appointment and bring proof of ownership if required. Any police officer can retrieve said item(s) to rightful owner.

If You Are a Victim and Charges Were Filed: Contact the Detective that has been assigned to your case to verify that the case has been adjudicated and the property can be released. It is recommended that you contact the evidence officer to make arrangements to pick up your property. To pick up your property; you must have a valid ID.

If You Are a Defendant and Charges Were Filed: Contact your attorney or assigned counsel to verify that the property is no longer needed for court and it can legally be released. Note: It is recommended that you contact the evidence officer to make arrangements to pick up your property. To pick up your property you must have a valid ID.

If you are arrested and you have prisoner property that you would like to pick up – remember that we only keep said property for thirty (30) days from the date of your arrest. After 30 days, it is disposed of.

It is recommended that you contact the police department to make arrangements to pick up your property. To pick up your property you must have a valid ID. Any officer can release said item(s) to rightful owner.

Disposition of unclaimed property
Depending on the item’s condition, after 90 days the item will either be disposed of or auctioned. The person, who finds the property, may request to claim the property if an owner is not found within the required time period. The finder has 90 days to claim the property if the rightful owner cannot be located.

Firearms Release Policy 
Call and schedule an appointment for a firearm(s) release; you must provide your full name (first, middle and last) and date of birth. The evidence officer is unable to release firearms to individuals ineligible to possess weapons and who do not have a valid F.O.I.D card. A criminal history will be performed before you will be allowed to take possession of any weapons. All weapons will be checked for “stolen” status.

If you have questions regarding evidence, you may contact the evidence officer,  Joel Zavala jzavala@forestpark.net  708-615-6270.

If you have questions regarding prisoner property, you may contact Sgt. Tom Hall by email  Sgt. Andrea Caines  acaines@forestpark.net  708-615-6411.