Atlanta police face nearly 150 claims since 2022 over lost or damaged personal property

Claims cite missing keys, damaged items and other losses tied to arrests and impounds

Hundreds of Atlantans have filed damage and loss claims against the Atlanta Police Department in recent years, alleging officers or related processes failed to safeguard personal property taken during arrests, traffic stops or vehicle impounds. City records reviewed by the newsroom show nearly 150 claims filed against the police department since 2022 that reference lost or damaged property, with combined demands totaling more than $3.3 million. Not all claims result in payment.

The filings highlight a recurring point of friction between routine law enforcement activity and the legal duty to account for items held in police custody. In many cases, property at issue is not contraband or evidence, but everyday items such as vehicle keys, phones, wallets and personal effects that are collected during an arrest or left inside a towed car.

A teacher’s complaint centers on a missing car key after an arrest

One recent claim was filed by Taj Jackson, a science teacher who said he was arrested in June on charges of driving with a suspended license and being in a city park after hours. Five days after the arrest, Jackson went to a local impound lot to retrieve his vehicle. The car was there, he said, but his key was missing.

Jackson said the cost to replace the key was about $250. He also sought reimbursement for ride-share expenses he said he incurred while unable to use his vehicle, filing a claim with the city for more than $800. In a recorded call, an officer involved in the arrest told Jackson it was captured on body-worn camera that the key and tow paperwork were handed off at the scene. Video from the incident shows the key being separated from a key ring and placed on top of the vehicle before the officer left; a tow driver later asked officers whether they had the keys, and an officer responded that they believed the keys were in the car.

How claims against the city are filed and reviewed

Under the city’s claim procedures, people seeking money damages for injury to person or property must provide written notice within six months of the event, describing the time, place and extent of the loss and the alleged negligence involved. Claimants are required to state a specific dollar amount and provide supporting documentation. After submission, a claims investigator may request additional information as the city reviews whether to recommend settlement or deny the claim.

• Claims must be filed within six months of the incident date.
• Submissions must include a specific damage amount and documentation.
• Recommendations involving payment require approval through the city’s legislative process.

What the filings suggest about points of failure

While individual claims vary widely, the volume of filings since 2022 suggests that property handling during arrests, transfers to tow operators, and retrieval from impound lots can create disputes about responsibility and chain-of-custody. For residents, the practical impact can include replacement costs, transportation expenses, and delays in recovering vehicles or belongings while a claim is pending.

People who believe their property was lost or damaged in connection with a city incident can submit a damages claim through the City of Atlanta’s claim process, which requires written notice and documentation within six months.

Atlanta Police Department and the impound operator involved in Jackson’s case did not provide responses to questions about the incident.