BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – State Treasurer Larry Pack visited Bridgeport on Thursday, May 1, to present the Bridgeport Police Department with an unclaimed property check worth more than $10,000 from his Office’s firearms auction held in March.
“My Office is thrilled to return this money to our state and local law enforcement agencies so they can better serve their communities,” Treasurer Pack said. “The Bridgeport Police Department sold nearly 60 firearms during our most recent auction in Charleston. These funds will allow officers to purchase new equipment and make necessary upgrades to their facilities and improve their operations.”
The Bridgeport Police Department on Thursday received a check valued at $10,812 – the second largest amount collected from the live onsite firearms auction held in Charleston on March 27.
State and local law enforcement agencies are allowed to turn over any unclaimed, seized or outdated firearms in their possession to the Treasurer’s Office for auction. These include weapons that are older and no longer used by a department, or that have been seized as evidence and sitting in storage rooms for an extended amount of time.
Bridgeport Police Chief Mark Rogers said the funding will have a direct and positive impact on his department.
“These proceeds will help us invest in critical safety equipment, training resources, and technology upgrades that enhance our ability to serve and protect the community,” Chief Rogers said. “We are grateful for this partnership and the opportunity to reinvest in public safety.”
Treasurer Pack recently announced the March firearms auction raised $132,495 to benefit the 18 participating law enforcement agencies, including the Bridgeport Police Department. There were 277 lots up for bid consisting of 624 firearms and 700 pounds of ammunition, which made it the largest firearms auction by volume in Office history. The Office has sold a total of $208,160 in firearms including funds generated from two online auctions held in March and April.
Since the fiscal year began on July 1, 2024, the Office’s Unclaimed Property Division has returned more than $35 million to rightful owners, surpassing the $28 million that was returned to rightful owners during Fiscal Year 2024.
For more information about the unclaimed property program or to find out if the Office is holding any money for you, visit www.WVUnclaimedProperty.gov.
