Records and Property

Alarm Permits

For more information about alarm permits, please visit the alarm permit webpage.

Public Information Requests

The Public Information Act gives the public right of access to government information. A person may ask to review the documents, obtain copies, or both. This only includes documents that are in existence when the request is made. It does not require the government body to create documents or do legal research. The only legal requirement to submit an open records request is that it be in writing.

The Act is triggered when a person submits a written request to the governmental body. The Public Information Act prohibits the governmental body from asking you why you want the information you have requested. The governmental body may, however, ask you to clarify your request if they are uncertain as to what you want, and they may discuss with you how the scope of your request may be narrowed if you have requested a large amount of information.

The governmental body must "promptly" produce public information in response to your request. "Promptly" means that a governmental body may take a reasonable amount of time to produce the information, which varies depending on the facts in each case. The amount of information you have requested is highly relevant to what makes for a reasonable response time.

Requests for public information can be made in the following ways:

• Online at www.bedfordtx.gov/pir
• In-person at the Records counter at the Bedford Police Department, 2121 L Don Dodson Dr, in Bedford
• By mail: Bedford Police Department, Attn: Records Division, 2121 L Don Dodson Dr, Bedford, Texas 76021

Property and Evidence

Property is released by appointment only. Appointments should be made prior to arriving to the Bedford Police Department to ensure someone is available and that the property is able to be released. Appointments can be made by calling 817-952-2432. Information provided to the Property Technician should include: your name, phone number, report number, and property description. A government issued photo ID is required for the release of property.  

Items are booked into Property and Evidence under three different categories:

• Evidence: Items collected in connection with a crime. Evidence is retained until a final disposition has been administered by the court (conviction, dismissal, etc.) involving all parties charged in that case. Evidence can only be released with a certified copy of a County Court order. To inquire about the status of a criminal case or about obtaining a court order for property retrieval, contact the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office at 817-884-1400. 
• Safekeeping: Items taken and stored with the intent to return property to its rightful owner. Items held for safekeeping will only be retained for 90 days, after which they can be destroyed or auctioned.
• Found: Items found or abandoned. For items with no known owner, found/abandoned items can be destroyed or auctioned after 30 days of no inquiry. For items found with a known owner (credit card, driver’s license, etc.), found/abandoned items can be destroyed or auctioned after 90 days of no inquiry. If a last known address is located for the owner of a found item, a certified letter is sent for notification.

Unclaimed Property

The City of Bedford contracts with PropertyRoom.com for the sale of unclaimed items through their auction site. Community members interested in bidding online can go to the auction website.