Kern County Grand Jury • 2024-2025

Report - Kern County Sheriffs Office Property Room

Published: May 08, 2025 9 pages
Ver PDF original

Findings and Recommendations 6 findings

F1
The McMurtrey Avenue property room will be an invaluable asset to Kern County Law Enforcement and solves the problems inherent with the L Street facility. This state-of-the-art structure has been designed and constructed to meet Kern County’s property and evidence storage needs for now and the foreseeable future.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The KCSO’s Evidence and Property management should expedite the relocation of its operations to the McMurtrey Avenue Facility, resolving its evidence storage limitations, electricity generator, elevator, and HVAC needs. This relocation should be initiated by June 30, 2025, and completed no later than December 30, 2025. (Findings #1 through #7) NOTES: • The Kern County Sheriff’s Office should post a copy of this report where it will be available for public review. • Persons wishing to receive an email notification of newly released reports may sign up at: https://www.kerncounty.com/government/other-agencies/grand-jury Present and past Kern County Grand Jury Final Reports and Responses can be accessed on the Kern County Grand Jury website https://www.kerncounty.com/government/other- agencies/grand-jury RESPONSE DEADLINE: • REQUIRED WITHIN 90 DAYS FROM: Kern County Board of Supervisors
F2
The L Street facility is unsanitary, and there is evidence of a pest infestation. This could compromise the evidence especially in the area where marijuana is stored.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
The L Street facility storage room is overloaded with property to the point where it is a fire hazard. In the event of a fire in the Property Room, a sergeant, lieutenant or commander would have to access the facility prior to the Bakersfield Fire Department (BFD) entering. Forced entry into the building would likely cause destruction of evidence, potentially jeopardizing the delicate chain of custody.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The KCSO develop an interim afterhours fire response policy for the L Street Evidence and Property Facility. This should be completed by June 30, 2025, effective through the move to the McMurtrey Avenue location. (Findings #3 and #4)
F4
The L Street facility has no emergency generator, and in the event of a power outage, evidence stored in refrigerated units could be compromised or destroyed.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The KCSO develop an interim afterhours fire response policy for the L Street Evidence and Property Facility. This should be completed by June 30, 2025, effective through the move to the McMurtrey Avenue location. (Findings #3 and #4)
F5
The L Street facility has limited space to continue to manage the property and evidence. The current collection and storage rate is unsustainable.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
The L Street facility freight elevator is expensive to maintain and fails to provide a reliable lift transportation for staff and the movement of evidence and property between floors. COMMENTS: The Grand Jury determined through interviews, review of relevant documents and onsite tours that the KCSO Property and Evidence Facility remains essential to the Kern County justice system. The L Street facility can no longer serve its purpose because it has outgrown the design and storage capacity for the efficient management of critical evidence. The Grand Jury determined during interviews with KCSO and General Services staff that delays opening the McMurtrey Avenue facility were the result of changes in the original ownership, construction supply chain shortages, and a change order regarding the installation of a passenger elevator. The KCSO was allocated $7 million in general funding for the McMurtrey Avenue Evidence and Property Facility as well as a lease-to-own agreement for the future purchase of this multiuse building. The KCSO command staff stated evidence and property stored in this area is connected to active or appellant cases and cannot be disposed of without a court order. Staff stated efforts are continuing to be made to cull evidence and property consistent with automated notification processes. KCSO staff stated that all efforts are being made to expedite the relocation to the McMurtrey site and KCSO will be prepared to initiate the transfer as soon as the facility is inspected and cleared for occupancy.
No recommendations for this finding

Comments 7

No Responses Found 1

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Kern County County