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 Central Michigan? 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 Central Michigan; 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 Central Michigan with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for Central Michigan

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Central Michigan

found J

Found paintings near CMU University Center, Mount Pleasant

Hi there, I'm Jordan Reed. I found someone else's paintings yesterday afternoon near the CMU University Center on East Campus Drive in Mount Pleasant, around 3:50 p.m. They were two framed works, one bright landscape and one dark abstract; both had labels on the back with a local artist's name. I noticed the frames were dusty and stood near a coat rack outside the center, so I left them with the security desk. I hope the owner checks here and can claim them soon.

near the CMU University Center, Mount Pleasant 12 days ago

found M

Found pocket watches in Central Michigan.

I found a set of pocket watches on a bench outside the CMU Park Library plaza in downtown Mount Pleasant around 8:10 p.m. on Tuesday. The watches come in a worn leather case; one has a silver chain and floral engraving, the other a brass face with a delicate dial. They clearly matter to someone—it's easy to imagine how personal a keepsake they are. I turned them in to campus security at CMU, hoping to help them find their owner.

near the CMU Park Library plaza about 1 month ago

found E

Found Photographs near CMU Park Library

FOUND: I found these photographs on a bench outside Park Library at Central Michigan University around 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday. The photos show a family vacation near Michigan's lake shoreline, a black-and-white portrait, and a few snapshots of a wedding. I can imagine the owner is missing them and I feel a tug of responsibility to help reunite them. If these belong to you or you recognize the people in the pictures, please check back on the site to claim them.

near the CMU Park Library, Mount Pleasant about 2 months ago

found D

Found: Radios by CMU campus, Mount Pleasant

I FOUND a small gray backpack with two radios peeking out outside the CMU bookstore on the Mount Pleasant campus around 3:45 p.m. Saturday. The radios look well used, with a dented battery pack and a stubborn power cord snaking from the pocket. I moved them to a bench near the campus library to keep them safe and posted this listing in case the owner sees it here. I know how important a reliable radio can be for someone on campus, and I hope this helps.

near CMU campus bookstore, Mount Pleasant 3 months ago

found A

Keys with blue lanyard and turtle charm

I found a set of keys this morning around 8:15am in the parking lot behind the CMU Student Activity Center on Main Street in Mount Pleasant. They’re on a blue university lanyard with a tiny turtle charm and a brass tag engraved with 'MP'. There’s a red silicone key cover on one of the keys, and a somewhat battered house key that sticks a little when turning. I figured someone might be missing them after a class or a club meeting. If you recognize these, I’m happy to meet near the Student Union to return them and get them straightened out.

Central Michigan 6 months ago

found A

Black compact umbrella with CMU sticker

I found a black compact umbrella this afternoon around 3:45pm in the Meijer parking lot on Mission Street in Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan. It's a RainSafe umbrella, about 10 inches long when folded, with a matte canopy and a gray rubberized handle. There’s a small white sticker on the case with the Central Michigan University logo, plus a tiny scratch along the edge of the canopy from a brush with a cart. If this belongs to you, I’m happy to return it—hope the owner sees this and knows it’s still out there.

Central Michigan 6 months ago