CountyofSB.org It is the mission of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Property/Evidence to receive, document, and safeguard all property and evidence submitted to the custody of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office by maintaining the integrity and security of the all items of property and evidence that we are entrusted with.
The Property/Evidence staff has the responsibility of monitoring and arranging disposition of each item as soon as possible. Items are released to the lawful owner, converted to department use, donated to local charities, scheduled for destruction, or sold to the general public through auction.
The destruction of all narcotics, weapons, and other contraband is accomplished in accordance with Federal, State, and County laws. The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office has not only chosen to select a method that is ecologically safe, but is beneficial to the community.
Property Pick-up Information & Hours
Release of property is by appointment only, to schedule an appointment call (805)-934-6150 for Santa Maria and (805) 681-5356 for Santa Barbara. Property and Evidence are located at two separate locations: 4434 Calle Real Santa Barbara, CA 93110 and 812 W. Foster Road, Santa Maria, CA 93455
For further information on Firearms Information click here
Property & Evidence FAQ’s
It is the Patrol Deputy’s responsibility to attempt to locate and notify owners. Generally, when property is seized as evidence or safekeeping, a receipt will be left with the person it was taken from. This receipt will contain the Sheriff’s case number, and you will need this number when you contact the Sheriff’s Property & Evidence.
Case Number: You will need this number as it is referenced to the property.
Evidence: If the property was seized as evidence, the investigator assigned to the case must sign a release saying that you may pick up the item(s). Only the person listed as the owner of the property is authorized to pick up the item(s) up. If the owner is hospitalized or otherwise incapacitated, a power of attorney form will be necessary. Valid photo identification must be presented in order to receive the item(s).
Weapons: Due to the complex nature of Firearms Laws please contact the Property Room for all information about Firearms and Weapons Releases.
Section 2080.10(b) of the California Civil Code states that property taken for temporary safekeeping must be claimed within 60 days after the public agency obtains possession or the property will be disposed of in accordance with the disposal provision of this article. It is the policy of the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office to retain all property taken for safekeeping for an additional 30 days prior to scheduling the property for disposal.
If the department was unable to make notification to the owner of the property, or if the owner provides written notification that they are in custody and unable to pick up the property or have an authorized person retrieve the property, the property will be retained no longer than 12 months. It will then be scheduled for disposal.
California Civil Code requires the Sheriff’s Office to retain found property for a minimum 90 days, after which such property may be sold at public auction. It is the policy of the Sheriff’s Office to retain all found property for an additional 30 days prior to scheduling the property for disposal.
Section 2080 of the California Civil Code states that any person who finds a thing lost is not bound to take charge of it, unless the person is otherwise required to do so by contract or law, but when the person does not take charge of it he or she is thenceforward a depositary for the owner, with the rights and obligations of a depositary for hire. Any person that finds and takes possession of any money, goods, or other material things, shall within a reasonable amount of time, inform the owner, if known, and make restitution without compensation.
Section 2080.1(a) of the California Civil Code states that if the owner is unknown or has not claimed the property, the person shall, if the property is of the value of one hundred dollars ($100) or more, within a reasonable amount of time, turn the property over the police department of the city or city and county it was found, or the sheriff’s office of the county if found outside of city limits, and shall make an affidavit, stating when and where he or she found or saved the property.
Section 2080.3(a) of the California Civil Code states that if the reported value of the property is two hundred fifty dollars ($250) or more, and no owner appears and proves his ownership of the property within 90 days, the Sheriff’s Office shall call notice of the property to be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation. If, after seven days following the first publication of the notice, no owner appears and proves his ownership of the property and the person who found or saved the property pays the cost of publication, the title shall vest in the person who found or saved the property unless the property was found in the course of employment by an employee of any public agency, in which case the property shall be sold at public auction.
Section 2080.3(a) of the California Civil Code states that if the reported value of the property is less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250), and no owner appears and proves his or her ownership of the property within 90 days, the title shall vest in the person who found or saved the property, unless the property was found in the course of employment by an employee of any public agency, in which case the property shall be sold at public auction.
If no owner appears to prove his ownership of the property and the finder fails to claim the property within 23 days after the 97 day holding period (value $250 or over) or within 30 days after the 90 days holding period (value under $250), or the finder refuses to pay all reasonable charges, then the title of the property shall not vest in the finder and the property shall be processed as unclaimed property.
If I feel that I have met the criteria to have my property released, what do I need to do?
Property & Evidence is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and can be reached by calling (805) 681-4100. You must call and make an appointment to arrange the release of property to you. Property is only released by appointment due to some items being located at other locations. This will provide staff with the time to transfer the property to the proper location.
SBSO Instagram Feed
📢 The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for the upcoming Citizen’s Academy. The Citizen’s Academy is an engaging and informational behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement in Santa Barbara, hosted by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. Participants will engage in various topics including the history of law enforcement, criminal law, patrol tactics, and de-escalation communication. They will also participate in hands-on learning such as firearms instruction and active shooter scenarios. This is a great opportunity for people who are interested in law enforcement to learn more about our agency and this rewarding career.
Participants must be 18 years of age or older. Applications must be received no later than Monday, February 26, 2023. You can scan and email your application to citizensacademy@sbsheriff.org
The first class begins March 06, 2024, from 6:00 – 8:30 P.M. at the Northern Branch Jail. The last class will be a Graduation luncheon on April 27, 2024 at 1100 A.M. Your family is invited to attend the graduation luncheon, where specialty unit displays and demonstrations are tentatively planned.
You can read more about the Citizen’s Academy and find the application form on the Sheriff’s Office website- SBSheriff.org.
Thank you to everyone who joined us @gpoc_orcutt for Coffee with a Cop this morning! ☕️👮🏽♀️
Join us in congratulating Sergeant Gotschall, our newest graduate 👨🏼🎓from the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute. SBSLI is an intense program designed to stimulate personal growth, leadership, and ethical decision-making in California law enforcement front-line supervisors.
☕️ Join us for a “Coffee with a Cop” event on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at Carp Moon Café on the Corner of Carpinteria Avenue and Linden. This is a chance to meet some of the deputies who were newly assigned to Carpinteria and chat with Community Resource Deputy Dickey. Spanish speaking deputies will be attending.
☕️ Únase a nosotros para un “Café con un policía” evento el sábado, 10 de febrero de 2024, en Carp Moon Café en la esquina de Carpinteria Avenue y Linden. Esta es una oportunidad para conocer algunos de los oficiales que fueron recientemente asignados a Carpinteria y placticar con el Oficial Dickey de Recursos Comunitarios. Asistirán oficiales que hablan Español.
Huge thanks to Adam, Aidan and Ember McClure (father, son, and dog) for locating the at-risk missing person in Lompoc. After receiving the alert sent by Sheriff’s Dispatch, Adam and Aidan decided to take Ember for a walk to see if they could find the missing person along the paths behind Cabrillo High School- and sure enough they did! Also, shout out to @sbcsar and @sbcfire for helping the missing person back off the trail and to the ambulance where he is receiving medical attention.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a missing elderly at risk patient in the Vandenberg Village area in Lompoc. Missing from Galaxy Wy and described as a white male adult, 77 years old, last seen wearing a blue Seahawks hat, a dark blue long sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and running shoes. He was last seen last night at home. If you have any information or know his whereabouts, please call 911.
This post will be deleted when he is located.
🏡All Evacuation Orders for Santa Barbara County are CANCELED as of 12:00 PM Monday, February 5. Residents may now return home. Please be aware of loose and falling rocks, and wet road conditions.
🏡Todas las Órdenes de Evacuación para el Condado de Santa Bárbara han sido CANCELADAS a partir de las 12:00 PM del lunes 5 de febrero. Los residentes ya pueden volver a casa. Por favor, tenga en cuenta las rocas sueltas, y las condiciones de carreteras mojadas.
@sbcasu heading out to check the back country for storm concerns. 👀 ☔️
EVACUATION WARNINGS have been issued for the following areas in Santa Barbara County: 1) Properties along waterways associated with the Thomas, Cave and Alisal burn areas. 2) Properties in the vicinity of Sycamore Creek, from Stanwood Dr. down to parts of Ninos Dr., in the city of Santa Barbara. This WARNING is due to an incoming storm with the potential to produce flash flooding, debris flows, and landslides. Info: www.ReadySBC.org
ADVERTENCIAS DE EVACUACION han sido emitidas para las siguientes areas en el condado de Santa Barbara: 1) Propiedades a lo largo de vias de agua asociadas con las areas quemadas por los Incendios Thomas, Cave y Alisal. 2) Propiedades en la vecindad de Sycamore Creek, desde Stanwood Dr. hasta partes de Ninos Dr., en la ciudad de Santa Barbara. Estas ADVERTENCIAS son debido a una tormenta con el potencial de producir inundaciones repentinas, flujos de escombros, y desprendimiento de tierra. Visite www.ReadySBC.org.
For more info https://evbg.co/ysor8e