Auction nets police department $14,000
Inkster police officers working during the annual department auction netted well above their goal of $10,000 Saturday afternoon.
A final total of $14,941 will be deposited into the police forfeiture account as a result of the sale of cars, computer equipment, clothing, electronics and other items seized throughout the year during drug raids and other police actions, said interim Deputy Police Chief Erick Barnes.
“Having the auction is a major undertaking for the department,” he said. “All of the merchandise has to be cataloged properly.
“We exceeded our goal this year, and I give credit to all of the officers who helped make this year’s auction a success,” he said.
The auction took place Saturday, June 9 in the parking lot of the police headquarters on River Park Drive, and lured about 100 residents looking for items that typically would cost much more.
Barnes said believes that fact that three cars were available translated into more bargain hunters bidding during the event.
“Whenever you have high-end merchandise like vehicles up for auction, it’s bound to attract more people,” he said.
Those who picked up vehicles were among the biggest winners at the auction. Vehicles up for sale included a Mercedes, which sold for $3,200; a Lexus, which sold for $4,650, and a Mercury Cougar, which sold for $875.
Some officers involved in the organization of the auction were surprised at the numbers because there were fewer items up for sale this year.
Some items seized during raids were not yet released by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office – but those items will go on sale next year at the auction, which will be in June 2008, Barnes said.
Auction proceeds are typically used to fund anti-drug enforcement activities.
http://www.journalgroup.com/Inkster/4848/auction-nets-police-department-14000