In Madrid, the Drones have been installed among the lost objects that arrive daily at the Municipal Office, a service that collects everything from electronic devices to unusual finds. The phenomenon reflects the rise of consumer technology and how, amidst haste and carelessness, these devices end up waiting for their owner on the shelves.
The volume is striking: the city guards more than 155.000 effects and in the first half of the year they were registered 41.387 entradas, which represents an average of 229 dailyIn a large warehouse south of the capital, the items are identified and ready to be claimed by their owners.
Drones and other surprising discoveries
The list of incomes is as varied as it is surprising: in addition to dronesAn accordion, a sewing machine, a carrying case with a pole, and even glasses have arrived for charity initiatives. All of this coexists with the most common items: mobile phones, watches, clothing, tablets and laptops.
The storage space, organized in endless aisles of shelves, makes clear the scope of the service and the role it plays in a city with millions of daily journeys on transport and in public spaces.
Key figures and pace of entries
During the first half of the year, the office recorded 41.387 new admissions (average of 229 per day) and, as of June 30, held in storage 155.004 effectsThe service was attentive 7.529 in-person transactions and processed 15.096 online consultations.
The answer is quick: the 96,26% of queries by mail or form was resolved in less than one business day, easily exceeding the 92% reference established in the Service Charter. In addition, the public assessment of the in-person service is around 8,5 10 on.
This is how an object is recovered (drones included)
Everything that comes in is scans, records and stores with your basic data. The owner has two years to claim it with a faithful description and a means of accreditation (especially simple in wallets or nominative devices). If it does not appear, the law recognizes the finder's right and, ultimately, the City Council.
The office publishes a generic list of entries in the BOAM and the Notice Board, and remember that There are no other official points collection outside the service itself. To facilitate returns, it is recommended to include contact cards in the highest value effects.
- Phone: 010 (o 91 529 82 10 from outside Madrid).
- E-mail: objetosperdidos@madrid.es (usual consultation channel).
- Web form: online application to check if the object is deposited.
- Face-to-face care: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 14:00 p.m., with proof of ownership.
In the first six months of the year, the return rate reached 8,88% (3.675 articles), with a peak of 11,48% in February; figures that give an idea of ​​the difficulty of matching each piece with its owner.
High value cases and cash inflows
Among the curious episodes, one stands out: small shiny stone which turned out to be a diamond valued at 8.000 eurosThey also arrived two winning lottery tickets, whose expiration date was extended in coordination with the Lottery; after two years without a claim, the prize went to the finder. Citizens deposited cash. 88.067,22 Euros, of which 30.656,82 Euros They have already passed into the municipal coffers due to the expiration of the legal deadline.
Second Life: Donations and Auctions
When the goods are not recovered, many receive a second Life in municipal services: clothing and sanitary material for the Samur Social, the San Isidro Shelter or the San Ildefonso Residence; suitcases and backpacks for canine unit training; and books that end up in libraries and youth or senior centers.
The City Council also channels Donations to NGOs such as Smile is a Foundation, Basurama, Melior Foundation, A+ Familias Association, Madrina Foundation or Resucitadero. In the first half of the year, donations were made 4.078 Objects, mostly glasses and books. In addition, they celebrate Auctions of unclaimed goods: the last jewelry collection left nearly 37.000 euros net and another one is being prepared electric material.
Where most things get lost
El Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport accounts for the majority of losses (56,03% and 86.842 objects). It is followed by Metro de Madrid (17,55%; 27.202), the EMT (7,25%; 11.241) and long-distance trains Adif (6,85%; 10.618). Also included are Renfe commuter trains (3,56%; 5.515), the public road (3,37%; 5.217), Post (2,40%; 3.726), taxis and VTC (2,24%; 3.478), the Museo del Prado (0,74%; 1.151) and the South Station (0,01%; 14).
That a drone ends up in lost property It's no longer anecdotal in Madrid: the figures, the procedure, and the destinations of unclaimed items show a mechanism designed to give a second chance to thousands of items each year and, with a bit of luck, return them to those who missed them.