The Grants Pass Police Department continues to comply with House Bill 3124 when dealing with the unhoused population residing in city parks.
The law -- which became effective in September 2021 -- requires cities to provide for storage and care of property taken from known and unknown property owners.
Grants Pass police officers must retain property removed from an established campsite occupied by a known individual. The property must be kept in storage for 30 days. Found or abandoned property with apparent value or use must be retained for 90 days.
Police officials said storage space within the city is challenging to find. They currently use space usually occupied by equipment at the City Shops. Due to the limited space and continued property being brought in, the need to find additional storage options has become critical.
Storage locations must, by law, be located within the jurisdiction from which it was removed. Options being considered so far include the now vacant A-1 Exterminators building next to the police department, Conex boxes behind the A-1 building or the City Shops.
