Forgotten, in the middle of the street or in indoor shops, the objects are waiting for their owners. Neatly stored in the boxes, many have been there for several months.
As in airports or train stations, in Draguignan, it is the municipal police who are responsible for recovering them with the lost and found service.
Sitting behind a desk, Monique is responsible. If she works alone in research, she is assisted by the two secretaries who take care of the calls.
A forgotten handbag containing 800 euros
Every week, bags, keys or purses end up in storage. Medication kits and locks are also on the list.
“People need to think about putting a label on their things. As we take a bit of everything, it makes our job easier and we can quickly identify the person“, explains Monica.
Occasionally, certain items require further investigation when their condition appears suspicious. “10 days ago, we returned a bag with 800 euros in cash inside. We first looked at the police station if it was not a theft and that a complaint had not been made. In the end, it came from a tourist who came to the region who forgot it at a merchant’s“. Significant losses that always provide great relief.
“Once, I was given flowers to thank me. Even if it made me happy, I had nothing to do with it. It’s the objects that come to us and not the other way around“, she admits. Passers-by are encouraged to pick up anything that is forgotten to make people happy.
Full-time busy staff
Since 2013, the lost and found department has been occupied full time. Everything is well organized. Stored in cardboard boxes, the forgotten ones are stored in a secure cupboard.
But, in a room next door, means of transport are stored. Most are bicycles and some times it’s more unusual.
“20 years ago, it was a Zodiac that we had“, remembers the head of the municipal police department. For the largest registered vehicles, it is the pound that takes care of it.
Objects that remain abandoned
But, between two handlebars, there is also an electric wheelchair that no one came to claim.
“Even when they are found, sometimes the owners do not come to collect them. This is the case with many broken phones. Once identified, they tell us that they want more and have already bought themselves a new one.“
If they remain stored for more than a year, the found objects will be taken care of by the service of the domains at the end of the year.
This one proceeds to the destruction of goods or to the sale if there is value. In 2021, of the 1,107 files processed, only 28 left for the estates. “Everything is mapped out, we keep nothing. We have to return everything, even the money to the penny“.
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