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 Cape Cod / Islands? 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 Cape Cod / Islands; 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 Cape Cod / Islands with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for Cape Cod / Islands

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Cape Cod / Islands

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Found pins near Cape Cod Mall, Hyannis.

Today at 11:30 a.m., I found a small plastic pouch with several decorative pins outside the Cape Cod Mall in Hyannis. The pins were spilling loose on the sidewalk, tangled with a blue lanyard and a piece of sea glass. I picked them up and checked for any contact details, but there were none—just the kind of small clue that makes you pause and hope someone is missing their favorite pins. Pins can mean a lot to the person who wears them, and I want them to find home again. If this is yours, respond through the site and we can arrange pickup near the Cape Cod Mall entrance.

Cape Cod Mall entrance, Hyannis. 12 days ago

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Found four chairs near Hyannis Harbor

I was walking the Hyannis waterfront last night, around 6:15 p.m., when I spotted a neat row of four folding chairs tucked between the railing and the ramp to the ferry terminal. They are lightweight aluminum with chipped blue paint and one chair still has a faded sticker with a sailboat. They looked like they were left behind after a small gathering, maybe a sunset snack on the seawall. It felt hopeful to think someone might be missing them, so I posted this listing and hope to reunite them with their owner.

Sentimental

near the Hyannis Harbor ferry terminal 16 days ago

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Found avians near Hyannis Harbor, Cape Cod

I was walking along the Hyannis harbor on Cape Cod this morning around 9:10 a.m. when I heard a fluttering behind a cluster of boats. I found a small travel cage tucked beside a shed near the ferry dock, and inside were three avians—a bright blue parakeet, a yellow canary, and a shy brown cockatiel. They looked hungry but gentle, and they calmed when I spoke softly and offered seeds from my bag. I’ve kept them safe on my porch and am hoping to reconnect them with their owner soon. They’re clearly someone’s pets, not wild birds. If these birds belong to you, please reach out through the site so we can reunite them.

Harborfront near Hyannis Ferry Terminal, Cape Cod about 1 month ago

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Found: silver studs near Hyannis Ferry Terminal

I was out for a morning stroll along the Hyannis Harbor path near the Hyannis Ferry Terminal at 7:28 a.m. today when I spotted a small jewelry pouch on the gravel. Inside were a pair of silver studs with tiny crystals, their backs still in place. They're not mine, and I felt a tug of responsibility to try to get them back to their owner. I tucked them in a clean tissue and kept them safe, hoping this note helps the rightful owner recognize them.

Hyannis Ferry Terminal about 1 month ago

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Found keyboard near Hyannis Harbor

I found a keyboard on Main Street in Hyannis around 6:20 p.m. today, sitting by a bench near Hyannis Harbor and the ferry terminal. It’s a black 61-key model in a blue gig bag, with a small sticker that says 'Nova' on the handle and a couple of keys sticking. I picked it up and stood guard nearby, hoping to keep it safe until the owner arrives. If you are missing a keyboard, I hope this helps reunite you with it.

by the Hyannis Harbor ferry terminal on Main Street 2 months ago

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Navy knit scarf found near Hyannis Cape Cod Mall

I found this navy knit scarf this afternoon around 2:15pm in the Cape Cod Mall parking lot off Route 132 in Hyannis. It's about 60 inches long, soft with a little pilling from wear, and in good condition overall. There’s a small pinecone pin near the fringe on the left edge and faint initials 'MV' stitched on the care label. I figured someone might be missing it and would hate for it to drift away. If you recognize it, share the pin detail and initials and where you last wore it so we can reunite it.

Cape Cod / Islands 5 months ago