LOS ANGELES – Having “find my device” enabled on your iPad is helpful if it ends up in the Los Angeles International Airport lost and found. It makes it easier for airport police to get in contact with you.

“Came over and discovered the iPad was unlocked so we are able to open it up and see his account and see his name is right there. So we are going to try and send him an email message saying his iPad is here at the lost and found at LAX and see if he’ll come and pick it up right away,” said LAX Officer Van Clease.

RELATED l How LAX Manages Traffic In and Around the Airport

But what if you don’t have it enabled, or what if your device isn’t connected to the internet at all. Fortunately, LAX has taken care of that too.

LAX Officer Van Clease is a part of the airport’s lost and found processing unit for their new online service that was launched a few months ago.

It starts with Officer Clease taking a photo of the lost item. Then an inventory check. After that he has to enter the information into the system.

 

 

 

It is a much more lengthy process than listening for a ping from an iPad.

“With a bag it’s going to take more time because we have to go through and we are looking to make sure there’s no valuables in it we didn’t account for on the report and once we get it categorized out it all in here and if there is something to identify the person we can pick up the phone and call them right now if there is something to identify them,” said Officer Clease

If not, it ends up on the LAX Lost and found website, which thanks to work of Officer Clease is as easy as going online to identify your lost items. Once you show up, you tell an officer the items in your bag and it all yours.

This updated process is appreciated by people like Alison Broderick who lost her bag on the way to a Disney cruise.

“I’m super relieved to know that TSA and the police have found my bag and it’s an easy pick up. The whole process is super easy. I’m just really happy to have it,” said Broderick.

As for Officer Clease he is happy he can be a part of reuniting LAX visitors with their lost items.

“It feels good we talk to people out here in the front all the time and they’re overjoyed some people break out in tears just happy. But we just do the work we can do and help them out,” said Officer Crease.

Reunited and it feels so good for everyone involved.