Sooner or later, you or someone that you know will unfortunately need help in retrieving personal items (camera, jewelry, keys, license, money, etc.) that is missing and this is where the lost and found department will come in to file a report.
To help you reduce the time in finding the resources needing to retrieve your precious items, we have complied a list a few lost and found contacts for you since time is of the essence.
Airports (Domestic and International)
One of the places where items unfortunately go missing is at local airports. With nineteen (19) airports in New York and three (3) airports in New Jersey to make flight connections, it is important to be able to find this information quickly to increase your chances of recovering your lost items.
Department of Sanitation
We all have parties in our homes and there will be a time that something important will get mixed up with the trash which can not be replaced easily. You will then need to contact DSNY through 3-1-1 to get in touch with the Department of Sanitation to retrieve your items. Keep in mind that at offices, this may be picked up by a private hauling company as they would have a contract with the building/property owners.
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
Items are not kept in a lost and found at the Javits Center so be sure to use the provided coat and luggage check as these found items will be given to The New York State Police who will attempt to find the owners. After thirty (30) to ninety (90) days, you risk loosing your chances to recover the items.
Medallion Taxis & Limos
One of the places where items go missing is in a limo, car service or taxi cab. This happens while riders travel from one point to the next and small objects become loose and fall off or slip out of their pockets while seated. Others leave large objects (such as bags and attache cases) in the trunk of the taxi cab as they forgot that it was placed there by themselves or the taxi cab driver when they entered the vehicle but in haste, leave without it. This is why it is important not to take (unlicensed taxi cabs) gypsy vehicles as these vehicles can not be tracked as easily.
MTA/NYCTA
One of the places where items go missing is in the Metropolitan Transit Authority network of buses, subway and trains. Items are left on seats, overhead compartment bins, fall when walking or going through turnstiles when entering or exiting the system.
New Jersey Transit
With numerous bus and train service that operates in and around New Jersey, frequent riders will eventually loose an item when using New Jersey Transit when they become too comfortable and distracted during their trip. Fortunately for riders, lost items can be reported by using an online form, by calling 1-973-275-5555 or by visiting any New Jerset Transit Customer Service Office.
Nightclubs, Bars & Lounges
Nightclubs, bars and lounges often require their guest to show proof of age so they often bring their driver’s license or passport to gain entry. Unfortunately, these items are often lost in all the excitement or stolen by other patrons who were in line behind them and watched to see where you secured your ID as this is the easiest and cheapest way to have a fake identification that can pass the ID scanners.
Police Precincts
Dropped your items on the streets of New York City while visiting or attending a parade? If it is included with a government identification which includes an address and is dropped near a police precinct, it may be sent there so it can be returned to you or posted on the lost and found section of CraigsList if identification was not included. Be sure to check with the The New York State Police so they can contact you.
Trans-Bridge Line
If you travel between Allentown, PA and New York City often, there is a chance that you will loose your item on Tran-Bridge Lines. If you do, contact the Lost and Found Department anytime at 610-868-6001 Ext 96 Ext 788. Please keep in mind that your items will not be held for more than thirty (30) days in their Lost & Found Office in Bethlehem, PA.
Join us in our New York Forum if you have any comments or questions.
Steve Pringle
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