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Their camp was cleared, or police or the city took their belongings

Use when someone's camp was cleared or swept, or police, town, county or forest workers took or threw out their tent, ID, medicine, phone or other things.

In danger right now: call 911. Crisis or thoughts of suicide: call or text 988. Not sure where to start? Call the Silver City Gospel Mission: 575-388-5071. Police, fire or sheriff, not an emergency: 575-388-8840 (Central Dispatch). Print our list of phone numbers → · Food pantry calendar → · Free meals calendar → · Getting there: bus and rides →
These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
In this guide
  1. Take care of tonight first
  2. Find out who took their things
  3. Ask to get the things back
  4. Replace papers, medicine and phone
  5. If their rights may have been broken
  6. Protect things next time

1Take care of tonight first

You can ask"Are you hurt? Did you lose medicine you need today?"
Hurt, very sick, or out of medicine like insulin, seizure or heart medicine: go to the emergency room or call 911.
Gila Regional Medical Center
Emergency room
575-538-4000 · 24/7: 911
1313 E. 32nd St., Silver City · 24/7
You can ask"Where will you sleep tonight?"
SPIN (Supporting People In Need)
Seasonal Overnight Shelter (SOS)
575-956-6131
610 N. Silver St. (cul-de-sac at 7th St. and Gold, behind the public works yard), Silver City · Opens every night at 5:00 pm and has stayed open beyond the winter months (SPIN reported 3,900 bed nights in one quarter of 2025). Call to check it is open.
Silver City Street Outreach
Street outreach and drop-in center
575-519-5810
714 N. Bullard St. (the OASIS), Silver City · Daily 10:30am-4:00pm, depending on volunteers
At the Gospel MissionAsk staff for a blanket, sleeping bag, tent or survival kit from the stuff drawer. The clothing bank can replace clothes.

2Find out who took their things

You can ask"Who cleared the camp: police, town workers, the sheriff, the Forest Service, or a property owner?"
You can ask"When and where did it happen?"
Write down the date, the place, what was taken, and any names or badge numbers they remember.

3Ask to get the things back

You can say"Let's call and ask if your things were saved, and how to get them back."
Silver City Police Department
Non-emergency line (via Central Dispatch)
575-388-8840
1011 N Hudson St, Silver City · 24/7
Town of Silver City - City Hall
Town Hall main line / receptionist
575-538-3731
101 W Broadway, Silver City · Weekday business hours
Grant County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff main office (non-emergency business line)
575-574-0100
1400 Highway 180 East, Silver City · Business hours, Mon-Fri (call)
Gila National Forest - Supervisor's Office
Forest camping rules, fire restrictions and closures
575-388-8201
3005 E Camino del Bosque, Silver City · Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
You can ask"Were the things stored? Where? How long will you keep them? What do I bring to pick them up?"
Bring
  • Any ID they still have
  • a list of what was taken
  • the date and place
Silver City Police Department
Police records (reports)
575-956-1245
1011 N Hudson St, Silver City · Business hours, Mon-Fri (call)

4Replace papers, medicine and phone

Lost ID or papers: see the guide "Has no ID at all".
Lost medicine: call the pharmacy and ask about a refill for lost or stolen medicine. See the guide "Has a prescription but can't afford the medicine".
At the Gospel MissionAsk staff about prescription help and a free government (Lifeline) phone from the stuff drawer.
Lost EBT card: see the guide "Lost their EBT card, or SNAP benefits stopped".
At the Gospel MissionFree mail service, so new cards and letters have a safe place to go.

5If their rights may have been broken

You can say"If your things were thrown away without warning, a lawyer can look at what happened."
New Mexico Legal Aid
Free civil legal aid (local office)
575-388-0091
2005 Hwy 180 W, Suite 500, Silver City
ACLU of New Mexico
Civil rights legal complaints (online intake)
505-266-5915
Albuquerque
Got a ticket? See the guide "Got a ticket or a summons and doesn't know what to do".

6Protect things next time

Take photos of ID and papers and email them to yourself.
See the guide "Needs a safe place to store belongings".

More help like this

See all guides in Tonight →

This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer

Know a better way? Is something out of date?

If a number or place here is wrong, you know a better resource, or you know a better way to help, tell us. We automatically check reliable sources and update supported routine details. Unclear changes and safety guidance go to our staff for review.

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Print these steps · Find more places to get help · Hours and numbers change; please call ahead. Something wrong? Tell us
Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City, 575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.