Bill would let Mass. police auctions go online

BOSTON, MA (AP) - Another cherished Massachusetts institution may be headed online.

A bill on Gov. Deval Patrick's desk would let local police departments take their auctions of unclaimed property to the Internet.

Under existing state law, police departments are allowed to auction off any unclaimed property which remains in their possession for more than a month after attempting to contact the owner. Bargain hunters often use the auctions to purchase cars at big discounts.

Under the law, the date and time of the auction must be published in a local paper.

The bill would give police departments the option of auctioning off the property over the Internet instead -- vastly increasing the potential number of people who might bid on the property.