Auctions Net Big Bucks for Canadian Police
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Toronto Police Service pilot project earns over $700K
Ever wonder what happens to all that bling the police seize from gangsters? Check eBay.
For five years, the Toronto Police Service has been using online auctions to get rid of old evidence seized during investigations that is no longer required by police or the courts, reports CNews.ca:
The online auctions, which also sell items turned in to police that go unclaimed as lost property, have collectively received more than 400,000 bids and have netted police $714,671 (approx $565,000 USD) since the pilot project began in 2003.
Winning bidders have come from as far away as Alaska, Germany, Denmark and Israel.
Today, the Toronto Police Services Board is being asked to open for tender the online auctioning service contract, now held by Toronto-based Rite Auctions. According to the report, in the last five years there has been a rise in the number of companies that prepare items for online auctions, and costs could be lower elsewhere.
RUBY, DIAMOND NECKLACE
City of Toronto, Toronto Transit Commission, Hamilton and Halton police services also use online auctions.
The report to the board also states the police themselves cannot get the items ready for auction on eBay because the cost would negate the proceeds from the auction and, in fact, would cost them money.
Last year, online auctions netted the board $180,261 but police estimate the cost of preparing the items for auction in-house would cost $391,631 annually.
Some of the more costly items now being offered on eBay by the Toronto Police are a $1,220 14K gold, ruby and diamond necklace; a $665 14K gold, ruby and diamond bracelet; and a $465 Batavus Spirit Entrada Cruiser bike.
But it's not all bling and bikes. Also on auction is a $51 skid lot of industrial paints, a $19.39 lot of tealights and floating candles, a box of unscented white candles for $8, and assorted toothbrushes for $3.91.
The auction items can be viewed through the Toronto Police Services website at torontopolice.on.ca.
Ever wonder what happens to all that bling the police seize from gangsters? Check eBay.
For five years, the Toronto Police Service has been using online auctions to get rid of old evidence seized during investigations that is no longer required by police or the courts, reports CNews.ca:
The online auctions, which also sell items turned in to police that go unclaimed as lost property, have collectively received more than 400,000 bids and have netted police $714,671 (approx $565,000 USD) since the pilot project began in 2003.
Winning bidders have come from as far away as Alaska, Germany, Denmark and Israel.
Today, the Toronto Police Services Board is being asked to open for tender the online auctioning service contract, now held by Toronto-based Rite Auctions. According to the report, in the last five years there has been a rise in the number of companies that prepare items for online auctions, and costs could be lower elsewhere.
RUBY, DIAMOND NECKLACE
City of Toronto, Toronto Transit Commission, Hamilton and Halton police services also use online auctions.
The report to the board also states the police themselves cannot get the items ready for auction on eBay because the cost would negate the proceeds from the auction and, in fact, would cost them money.
Last year, online auctions netted the board $180,261 but police estimate the cost of preparing the items for auction in-house would cost $391,631 annually.
Some of the more costly items now being offered on eBay by the Toronto Police are a $1,220 14K gold, ruby and diamond necklace; a $665 14K gold, ruby and diamond bracelet; and a $465 Batavus Spirit Entrada Cruiser bike.
But it's not all bling and bikes. Also on auction is a $51 skid lot of industrial paints, a $19.39 lot of tealights and floating candles, a box of unscented white candles for $8, and assorted toothbrushes for $3.91.
The auction items can be viewed through the Toronto Police Services website at torontopolice.on.ca.
posted by Chris and Frank at 12:03 AM
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