Brookshire police report 5,400+ evidence items; council to consider storage options

Brookshire’s police leadership told city council on Jan. 15 that the department’s property/evidence room holds more than 5,400 items, some dating back to the 1970s, and that the room’s usable footprint was reduced after a building remodel.

Chief Green said the previous administration had completed an inventory and the department now must identify which items require indefinite retention and which could be disposed of through a formal destruction process. He told council that destruction orders must be reviewed by the district attorney’s office and signed by a district court judge before items may be destroyed.

Assistant Chief Luna, described in the meeting as experienced in evidence handling, has been assigned responsibility for property‑room work and staff have introduced forms and restricted access. Chief Green said the current property room is about 300 square feet—roughly half the size of the previous location—and that the department has discussed options including purchasing secure storage cabinets via a cooperative purchase and exploring a building expansion, which could require bond funding.

Council asked staff to complete a retention review, identify items that must be kept indefinitely, present estimates for secure storage cabinets and return with budget options for either remodel or relocation. Chief Green said the process of researching cases and drafting destruction orders is lengthy and that staff have started work to improve accountability and security in the property room.

The council took no formal vote on this item; staff said they would bring procurement details and cost estimates to a future meeting.