Case Study: Weslaco Police Department
Discover how Material Handling USA designed and installed a mobile shelving evidence storage system for Weslaco Police Department’s new public safety building in Weslaco, Texas.
About the Weslaco Police Department
The Weslaco Police Department serves the City of Weslaco in Hidalgo County, Texas, located in the Rio Grande Valley near the southern tip of Texas. With a population of approximately 40,000 residents, Weslaco is a growing community in one of the fastest-developing regions of the state. The police department operates from its facility at 302 South Bridge Avenue, providing law enforcement, criminal investigations, community policing, and public safety services.
60%Floor Space Saved
2xStorage Capacity
100%Evidence Security
24/7Accessible
Location
Weslaco, TX
Product
Mobile Shelving
Application
Evidence Storage
Status
Completed
The Situation
Law enforcement agencies across the country face a common and growing challenge: evidence storage. As cases accumulate over time, police departments must securely store physical evidence ranging from documents and personal property to forensic samples and recovered items. Federal and state retention requirements often mandate that evidence be preserved for years or even decades.
The Weslaco Police Department needed a storage solution for its evidence room that could maximize capacity while maintaining strict chain-of-custody requirements. Traditional static shelving was leaving too much floor space dedicated to fixed aisles rather than actual storage.
The Solution
Material Handling USA designed and installed an mechanical-assist mobile shelving system specifically configured for the Weslaco Police Department’s evidence room. The system features an ACTIVE A109 layout with multiple double-entry shelving carriages on a rail track system.
Each shelving section measures 48 inches wide by 24 inches deep, providing substantial depth for storing evidence boxes, bags, and containers. With 8 shelf levels per section and 2 dividers per shelf, the system provides organized, compartmentalized storage for proper evidence categorization and chain-of-custody tracking. The complete system includes steel end panels, a twin ramp track system, freight delivery, and professional installation.
System Drawing
The following layout drawing shows the ACTIVE A109 mobile shelving configuration designed for the Weslaco Police Department evidence room, featuring multiple rows of double-entry shelving carriages with 48-inch wide by 24-inch deep sections.
Conceptual illustration of a modern mobile shelving evidence storage system
Warehouse layout blueprint — each system is custom-designed for the facility
Features
8 Shelf Levels Per Section
Maximizes vertical storage within the room height for evidence boxes, bags, and containers.
2 Dividers Per Shelf
Built-in dividers create organized compartments for separating evidence by case number or category.
Steel End Panels
Durable tan steel end panels protect stored evidence from dust, light exposure, and incidental contact.
Twin Ramp Track System
Eliminates the need for an expensive raised sub-floor, reducing installation cost while keeping the track flush with the existing floor.
Mechanical-Assist Handles
Ergonomic three-spoke handles with geared drive mechanisms allow smooth operation even when carriages are fully loaded.
Integrated Safety Locks
Each handle includes an aisle safety lock to prevent unintended carriage movement when personnel are working inside the system.
Advantage
For a mid-size police department like Weslaco, the advantage of mobile shelving over static shelving is straightforward: it doubles the storage capacity of the existing evidence room without requiring construction, renovation, or relocation. As Weslaco’s population increases and case volumes grow, the evidence room needs to scale accordingly. The mobile shelving system provides years of additional capacity within the current room.
Benefits
Doubled Storage Capacity
The mobile shelving system approximately doubles the evidence storage capacity of the existing room compared to static shelving, supporting the department’s retention requirements for years to come.
Chain-of-Custody Compliance
Organized shelving with dividers, clear sightlines, and lockable aisles support rigorous chain-of-custody documentation required in criminal cases.
Space Cost Avoidance
By maximizing the existing evidence room rather than building new space, the department avoids significant construction or leasing costs on taxpayer-funded budgets.
Officer Efficiency
Evidence technicians and detectives can locate and retrieve items faster thanks to the organized layout with labeled shelves and dividers.
High-density mobile shelving doubled evidence storage capacity in the same footprint, helping the department meet chain-of-custody requirements with organized, secure storage.
Return on Investment
The return on investment for evidence storage mobile shelving is measured primarily in avoided construction costs. Building or renovating an evidence room can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. A mobile shelving system delivers equivalent or greater storage capacity within the existing room at a fraction of that cost. Additional ROI comes from reduced labor costs for evidence retrieval, fewer handling errors, and improved audit readiness.
Installation and Project Process
Material Handling USA managed the full project for the Weslaco Police Department, including consultation, design, delivery, and professional installation. The twin ramp track system was installed directly on the existing floor surface, eliminating the need for a sub-floor build-up. This reduced installation time, cost, and disruption to the department’s operations.
Why This Matters for Local Businesses and Agencies
Weslaco sits in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, one of the fastest-growing regions in Texas. Police departments, sheriff’s offices, and county facilities throughout Hidalgo County, Cameron County, and Starr County face the same evidence storage challenges. Mobile shelving provides a proven, cost-effective solution that fits within municipal budgets.
Material Handling USA serves law enforcement agencies and government facilities across Texas and the western United States with expert design, competitive pricing through GSA contract availability, and professional installation for evidence storage solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mobile shelving for evidence storage?
Mobile shelving for evidence storage is a high-density shelving system mounted on carriages that roll on floor tracks. Aisles open on demand, allowing police departments to store significantly more evidence in the same room.
How much evidence storage space can mobile shelving save?
Mobile shelving typically saves 40% to 50% of floor space by eliminating fixed aisles, approximately doubling the storage capacity within the same room dimensions.
Is mobile shelving secure enough for police evidence storage?
Yes. Mobile shelving systems include integrated aisle safety locks, and optional keyed locks or electronic access controls can restrict access to authorized personnel only.
Can mobile shelving support the weight of heavy evidence items?
mobile shelving carriages support up to 1,000 pounds per linear foot of carriage length, handling heavy items such as recovered equipment and bulk evidence containers.
Is this system available through a GSA contract?
Yes. mobile shelving is available through GSA Contract, making it accessible to federal, state, and local government agencies with streamlined procurement.
Does Material Handling USA install mobile shelving in Texas?
Yes. Material Handling USA provides design, delivery, and professional installation for mobile shelving systems throughout Texas, including the Rio Grande Valley, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Austin.
Does mobile shelving meet law enforcement evidence storage standards?
Mobile shelving supports compliance with law enforcement evidence storage best practices, including organized categorization, chain-of-custody tracking, and secure access.
Our Process
1
Assessment
On-site facility measurement and needs analysis
2
Design
Custom layout engineered for your space and workflow
3
Delivery
All components shipped and staged at your facility
4
Installation
Professional assembly, leveling, and anchoring
Our four-step process: Assessment, Design, Delivery, and Installation
Project Results
✓
On-time delivery & installation
✓
Custom-designed for facility
✓
Professional installation
Need Evidence Storage for Your Police Department or Agency?
Material Handling USA designs and installs mobile shelving systems for law enforcement agencies, government facilities, and businesses across the United States.