Show All Answers

1. How Can I Find My Lost or Stolen Property?

Find information about obtaining your lost or stolen property.

2. What is the property room?

The property room stores evidence, safekeeping and found property for both the Tacoma Police Department and the Pierce County Sheriff's Departments (to include the contract cities of University Place and Edgewood). Property officers are responsible for retrieving, securing and storing property and ensuring proper chain-of-custody in the event evidence is needed for court proceedings. Our nine full-time property officers and one office assistant service 1,790 square miles -- home to approximately 813,600 people.

In addition, the property room disposes of narcotics; illegal, unclaimed or unwanted weapons and other property; and endeavor to return found property to the rightful owner(s). Disposal methods include incineration, melting and auction.

3. How Do I Get My Property Back from the Property Room?

Learn about getting your personal property backfrom the Property Room.

4. What is Your Appointment Policy?

Get information on the Property Room's appointment policy.

5. How do I Report Lost, Stolen or Found Items?

To report an item stolen, found, or a firearm lost in Pierce County, please call the Communications Center's non-emergency line at (253) 798-4721. Provide the operator with as much information as possible, including the item's make, model, serial number or owner applied number.

6. What happens to found property if an owner is not located?

Depending on the item's condition, after sixty (60) days the item will either be disposed of or auctioned per state law. The person who finds the property may request to claim the property if an owner is not found within the required time period. Claim paperwork may be obtained from the Property Room by calling (253) 798-7522 (county line) or (253) 591-5984 (city line) and must be filed within seven (7) days of the find.

After receiving claim paperwork, the Property Room will place an ad in the Tacoma News Tribune. If no owner appears within the sixty day time period, the finder has thirty (30) days to claim the item for a $10.00 fee.

7. Are items left unclaimed or abandoned in the Property Room auctioned off?

The Property Room does not store or auction motor vehicles or boats. General property items are auctioned four to six times per year by James G. Murphy Auctioneers (1-800-426-3008). A limited number of firearms are auctioned in lots to federally licensed firearms dealers two to three times a year. Licensed dealers may contact Pierce County Budget & Finance Purchasing Section at (253) 798-7285 to be placed on the mailing list.