Property Recovery

The U.S. Park Police is responsible for safeguarding all property taken into custody until it is either released to the rightful owner or disposed of in accordance with applicable regulation. Evidence property will not be released until the case is adjudicated in court. Property Officers will make attempts to contact property owners if they can link a person to Found Property that comes into the custody of the Force. Property can only remain unclaimed for a period of 60 days before it is disposed of by the appropriate Force Property Officer according to the provisions of 36 CFR 2.22(c). Please adhere to the following requirements:

  • Be able to describe the item(s) and provide serial number(s).
  • Provide proof of purchase, if available.
  • Ensure you have a have a picture Government identification card, i.e., driver's license, passport, State identification card, and a notarized letter from the property owner if applicable. (Property will not be released unless positive proof of ownership can be produced or the designee has proof of release authorization from the owner.)
  • In the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, contact the Station where you were arrested. For lost property, please contact the Station that patrols the area where you believe you lost your property: Central District, George Washington Memorial Parkway, Rock Creek Station, Baltimore-Washington Parkway Station, or the Anacostia Station. If the Station does not have your property, call the Brentwood Property Office, 6th & Penn St., NE., Washington, DC 20002 at (202) 426-6850. The hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office is not open on holidays and weekends.
  • In New York and San Francisco, contact the New York Field Office or the San Francisco Field Office.

Vehicle Impounds


Procedures for recovering impounded vehicles not held as evidence differ based on your geographical location:

In the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, you can respond directly to the contract crane impound lot to retrieve your vehicle. If a hold was placed on your vehicle, you will be unable to retrieve your vehicle until it is lifted by the case officer. For certain offenses, like Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) offenses, a mandatory 24-hour hold will be placed on your vehicle. If you have questions regarding the status of your vehicle, please call the contract crane office or the Station of the case officer.

In the New York Field Office, you must respond to the Station associated with the area where your vehicle was impounded. You must provide the appropriate paperwork before the U.S. Park Police authorizes the release of your vehicle from the contract crane company. The contract crane company will not release your vehicle without this paperwork.

In the San Francisco Field Office, call the Communications Section (415) 561-5505 for directions to the lot where your car is impounded and guidance on retrieving your vehicle. The procedures are different depending on who impounded your vehicle, the U.S. Park Police or NPS Law Enforcement Rangers.

Contract Cranes

Washington, DC

AnA Towing, (202) 347-8969, 1620 2nd St., SW., Washington, DC 20024

New York Field Office:

Brooklyn Bulloch's Towing, (718) 474-9500, 445 Beach 129 St., Belle Harbor, NY 11694

Staten Island J&J Towing, (718) 447-1068, 660 Gulf Av., Staten Island, NY 10314

The San Francisco Field Office does not have a contract crane.

The U.S. Park Police may move vehicles for safety reasons or to improve traffic flow. If you believe your vehicle was moved, contact U.S. Park Police Communications and you will be provided with the new location of your vehicle.

Last updated: April 1, 2015