Found an item? Your responsibilities

What to do when you find someone else's property — your responsibilities and how to return it safely.

Found something in Annapolis? Handling it responsibly protects both you and the owner. Rules vary by location, but the principles are consistent.

Make a reasonable effort to find the owner. Check for ID, contact details, or anything that identifies who it belongs to.
Don't assume it's yours to keep. Keeping found property without trying to return it can have legal consequences. When in doubt, hand it in.
Hand valuables to the authorities. Report significant or high-value finds to the police non-emergency line for Annapolis; they'll log it and may issue a reference.
Store it safely. Keep the item secure and unchanged while you try to return it.
Post a found listing. Add a found-item listing for Annapolis with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for Annapolis

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Annapolis

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Found wall art near Annapolis City Dock

On Tuesday at 4:15 pm, I found a framed canvas leaning against a brick wall on Compromise Street, just outside the Annapolis City Dock area. The piece shows a watercolor scene of the Naval Academy in blues and golds, with a small scuff on the frame. It looked recently hung, like it was waiting for someone to claim it, and I figured it must belong to a local who misplaced it during a stroll along the waterfront. I would like to see it go back to its rightful owner and thought this listing would help.

Near Annapolis City Dock, on Compromise Street 8 days ago

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FOUND sheet music near Annapolis City Dock

I found this sheet music folder on the steps by the Annapolis City Dock around 3:45 p.m. today. The pages are a little wrinkled from rain, and there is a pencil mark on the top page. The cover bears a neat handwritten label that looks like Johanna Kim and a few rehearsal notices folded inside. It must belong to someone who was practicing in the harbor breeze, and I picked it up to keep it safe. If this belongs to you, please check the set and recognition marks; through the site we can arrange a safe return.

near Annapolis City Dock 3 months ago

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Found beagle mix with blue collar near City Dock

I found a dog this afternoon around 3:15pm wandering near City Dock by Main Street and Compromise Street in Annapolis. It's a medium-sized beagle mix with a brown-and-white coat, a white chest patch shaped like a little heart, and one ear that tilts oddly when she looks at you. She's wearing a faded blue nylon collar with a tiny bell and a metal tag that says 'Nova.' She's friendly but anxious and clearly wants to find her people. If this is your dog, send me a message here and we can arrange her safe return.

Annapolis 4 months ago

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Found iPhone 13 in blue OtterBox near City Dock

I found a black iPhone 13 with a blue OtterBox case and a Maryland flag sticker this afternoon around 3:15pm outside the Starbucks on Main Street near the City Dock in Annapolis. The screen is cracked and there's a small dent near the camera. The wallpaper is a sunset sailboat, and the case has a tiny green sticker in the corner. It obviously went through a bit of wear, and I know how important this device can be to someone. If this is yours, message me in the app with another identifying detail so we can arrange pickup.

Annapolis 5 months ago

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Found blue US passport near Market House, Annapolis

I found a blue US passport this afternoon near Market House on Market Street, by the City Dock in downtown Annapolis. It's a standard navy-blue cover with the gold seal, a bit worn at the corners from travel. The back cover has a light coffee stain and there’s a small sticker with the initials 'A.J.' on the inside flap—easy to spot as an identifying feature. I picked it up after someone dropped it while walking by the Annapolis Bookstore toward the dock around 2:30 pm. If this is yours, message me in the app and we can arrange a safe handoff.

Annapolis 6 months ago

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Black Yamaha keyboard with purple sticker

I found a black Yamaha 61-key portable keyboard this afternoon around 4:15 pm outside the Annapolis Town Center on West Street, near the parking garage exit. It has a bright purple sticker on the lid with the initials 'AJ' and a small dent on the right edge. The keys are in decent shape, and there’s a power adapter tucked under the handle. I’ve set it on a nearby bench to make it easy for the owner to spot; if this is yours, I’d really like to get it back to you.

Annapolis 7 months ago