Lost holiday decorations in Dubuque
Description
On Friday evening, around 7:45 p.m., I realized my holiday decorations were missing after I stepped outside onto my 8th Street porch for a breath of cold air near the riverfront. I had left a bag of garlands and a twinkling banner on the front steps of my apartment, near the Dubuque Museum of Art. It hurts thinking someone may have walked off with our family memories and traditions. I keep replaying the cozy glow of the lights against the snow and wishing they’d find their way home. If you’ve seen them around the riverfront or near the clock tower, I’d be grateful to have them back.
Approximate last-seen location
Pin shows an approximate area, not the exact spot — to protect privacy.
How to safely get your item back
A short checklist to protect you and the item during the handoff.
Verify the finder before meeting
- Ask them to describe a detail not shown in your listing, such as an engraving, scratch, or contents.
- Request a clear photo of the item from an angle you did not post.
- Do not pay any release, shipping, or storage fee.
- Do not share your full address until you have verified them.
Meet in a safe, public place
- Police stations, café entrances, transport hubs, and shop foyers all work.
- Meet during daylight hours where there is CCTV and foot traffic.
- Avoid private homes, car parks at night, or isolated locations.
Bring someone with you
- Tell a friend or family member where you are meeting and when.
- Share your live location with them during the handoff.
- For high-value items, consider contacting your local police station for advice first.
Keep communication on lostandfound.io
- Use the in-app message thread so there is a record if something goes wrong.
- Do not move to WhatsApp, SMS, or email until you have exchanged a verifying detail.
- Never share bank details, government ID numbers, or copies of your ID.