Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf feels it when it comes to changing the current forfeiture law in Kansas legislators are not thinking this issue through.

That was his opinion in response to a bill that would change the current law and require that a person be convicted of a crime before the state can take their property. “They have absolutely no idea what it takes to do an asset forfeiture. They’re just taking it because of whatever reason they have and are running with this thinking that this is a bad deal.”

Kansas’ current forfeiture law does not require a peron to be convicted of a crime before law enforcement can take property they believe was used in a crime.  The new measure would require individuals to be convicted of a crime before they can have their property taxes.

Wolf explained this bill, if approved, could be costly for his department in lost funds. “It could cost the training that I send deputies to, it could cost equipment. For example guns, bulletproof vests, cars, radios, maintenance on these vehicles. ”

Wolf said with the drug forfeiture money his department could into the 21st century with technology and equipment.

Several law enforcement agencies oppose the measure becaue forfeitures provide police agencies with needed funding.