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

Helpful resources for Cleveland

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Cleveland

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Found xylophones in Cleveland

Today around 11:40 a.m., I found a pair of xylophones left on a bench behind the Cleveland Public Library on East 6th Street. I was walking by after volunteering at a small street festival, and it was clear someone had set them down and walked away. The instruments look well-used but playable, with one painted blue and the other plain wood. I figured these probably belong to a local school or band, not mine, so I’ve kept them in a safe spot and hope the owner will see this listing and recognize them.

outside the Cleveland Public Library, East 6th Street 3 days ago

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FOUND Utensils in Cleveland, Ohio

FOUND: I found someone else's utensils on the sidewalk near the West Side Market around 6:15 p.m. yesterday in Cleveland, Ohio. There's a dented silver fork, a worn butter knife, and a wooden-handled spoon, all tied together with a rubber band. They look like they were used on a quick downtown picnic. I turned them in at the West Side Market lost-and-found and hope the owner sees this post.

near West Side Market 4 days ago

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FOUND: Shopping bags in Cleveland, Ohio.

I was walking back to my car around 6:30 p.m. on Monday, by the West Side Market entrance on West 25th Street in Cleveland, when I spotted a bundle of shopping bags sitting on the curb. The bags bore local grocery logos and a crumpled receipt stuck to one handle. It looked like someone had hurried away after a long day, leaving a small sign of everyday life behind. I picked them up, tucked them under my arm, and kept them safe, hoping the right person would reclaim them soon.

Sentimental

West Side Market entrance, W 25th St. 13 days ago

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Found sandals in Cleveland, Ohio

I found a pair of sandals on a bench near Public Square yesterday around 4:30 PM. They’re tan leather with a bright blue toe strap and a little wear on the straps, as if someone wore them around the riverfront recently. I checked the nearby fountain area and the sidewalk by East 4th Street and Euclid Avenue, but there was no tag or name. If these belong to you, you’ll notice the scuff on the left strap and the soft leather that’s seen better days. I’m hoping the owner reads this and the sandals can find their way back to someone who wore them for daily errands and summer evenings.

Near the fountain at East 4th Street and Euclid Ave, Cleveland 15 days ago

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Found handheld game device and console near Public Square, Cleveland

I found a handheld game device and a console on the steps outside the Terminal Tower along Public Square around 4:15 PM on Tuesday. The handheld is a neon-red model with a cracked screen protector, and a small blue sticker in the corner; the console is a matte-black unit with light wear from rain. It feels like someone paused mid-journey and set them down while rushing to catch a bus or train. I pictured that moment and hoped the items would be reunited with their owner soon. I kept them safe in a bag I carry for stray finds, thinking of someone smiling when they see this posted online.

Steps of Terminal Tower, Public Square, Cleveland 24 days ago

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Found: Board Games in Cleveland

I’m Taylor Brooks. I found a cluster of board games on the steps outside the Cleveland Public Library on Superior Avenue around 9:40 AM this morning. The pile includes a worn Monopoly edition, a pack of Codenames cards, and a few loose pawns tucked under a bench. I set them on the library’s ledge and kept an eye out, hoping the owner would spot them soon. If these belong to you, they’ve survived the drizzle and are waiting for you to claim them on the site.

Cleveland Public Library steps, Superior Ave about 2 months ago