Dear Joe & Steve,

Just a brief note to let you know how much I enjoyed the class you held in Pigeon Forge. It was entertaining, informative and enlightening! Much of the information I shared with my Captain was met with astonishment ... as in "you mean other people really DO that?" (keep their currency, firearms and narcotics separated from their other property and evidence!) However we are forging ahead with a bar code system! Once again my thanks and an enthusiastic "bravo" on the class; it was a real pleasure to make your acquaintance and to know that there IS a source of information available as to procedures, etc. regarding property and evidence management.

Patricia B. Barker
Cullman (AL) Police Department
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IAPE,

I was just in the class conducted at the Allegheny County Police Academy in Pittsburgh. I would like to take this time to say what a great class was put on by Joseph Latta. It was very beneficial to myself and to the department. We are going to be remodeling soon and I hope to send some before and after pictures of our Evidence Room.

M. Todd Veselicky, Evidence Custodian
Allegheny Township (PA) Police Department
***** - ***** - ***** - ***** - *****

Good Afternoon Joe,

I wanted to thank you for the article on purging. What great ammunition! You laid it out continued as plain and simple, and the illustrations and examples really work. I am sending it up my chain of command to be added to my recommendation to implement a purge policy in my department. So far everyone says it sounds like a good idea, but everyone wants someone else to OK it. Ever hear that before???

Consequently the packet has been floating around the police department and commonwealth attorney's office for about a year now. Your article should help push things along.

Chet, Police Property Supervisor
Chesterfield County (VA) Police Department
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Hello Mr. Latta,

I recently attended your two-day property/evidence training seminar in Burbank, CA. I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed it and how much I learned from it. Honestly I couldn't wait to get back to my station so I could put to use all of the new ideas I took from you as well as from other representatives from agencies across the state and country. My only criticism would be, play more than a few songs in the morning. That country song was stuck in my head all day. But I would have to say that if that is the only thing I think is wrong, then you all are doing one fantastic job. Keep up the good work.

Bobby J. Lerma, Support Services Officer
Port Hueneme (CA) Police Department
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Hi Joe:

I thought I would bring you up to date on what you have taught me. You always talked about an exhaust system for the Property Room to eliminate contaminants. Well, I got the Head-Man of the Building Maintenance Department to come by my Property Room. I opened about two file drawers of Narcotics and he started gagging. I told him that's why I need an exhaust system. That same afternoon, a contractor was down and examined the rooms and asked my advice about what I wanted. The very next day I had an exhaust system with three ceiling vents and a minus 7 rating.

Do you remember the person in the San Antonio class that talked about sealing his narcotics? Well right after I got back from San Antonio I talked to my Captain and told him about the idea. He thought since I couldn't get an exhaust system (at that time) that it might work. I bought a food bag sealer that vacuum seals. It cost me $150.00 and I bought another $100.00 worth of plastic wrap. Joe, it works great. No more smell, no shrinkage, and the possibility of fungus growth is gone. I have only been sealing my misdemeanor marijuana for right now since it is the only narcotic that is in a single evidence envelope.

Well I'll quit for now, but I was excited by these two new things and thought I'd tell you that some of us do listen to what you have to teach.

J.R. Rice
McKinney (TX) Police Department
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"I believe this class should be required by all departments (especially small ones)."

"I appreciate your incorporating smaller agencies into this class."

"My second time attending your class, Joe. I learned so much the first time that I put in into use, and learned more this time to fine-tune everything. This will make a smooth running department. Thanks!"

"Information is general enough to apply to any size agency. A lot of helpful suggestions."

"This is an excellent class for small departments. The information discussed is for new and experienced property and evidence professionals."

"The best part of the class was getting me excited about fixing my property room."