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

Helpful resources for Erie

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Erie

found J

Found appliances along West 2nd Street, Erie

I was walking past a curbside pile behind the grocery store on West 2nd Street in Erie this afternoon around 2:15 p.m. when I spotted a jumble of appliances stacked together: a microwave with a dented door, a blender with a cracked lid, a coffee maker, and tangled cords. Everything looked recently dumped, not stolen, and there were a few manuals tucked in the pile. I checked nearby, moved the items to a safer spot, and waited to see if anyone would appear, but no one did. It felt strange to handle someone else’s things, but I kept thinking they deserve a home and a chance to be used again.

near Erie Bayfront, along West 2nd Street 4 days ago

found P

Found blue-and-white ceramic wall vase

I found this blue-and-white ceramic wall vase, an art & decorative item, this afternoon around 4:15 pm, outside the Erie Maritime Museum along Bayfront Parkway. It's about 12 inches tall with a glossy glaze and a hand-painted lilac floral pattern. There's a small chip on the rim and a tiny glaze miss near the bottom edge, but otherwise in good shape. It looks handmade, with no maker's mark I can see. If this is yours, I'd really like to get it back to you -- I can drop it at the Erie Police Department front desk or arrange a meetup for a quick handoff.

Erie 4 months ago

found P

Blue cycling helmet found near Millcreek Mall

I found a blue and white cycling helmet this afternoon around 4:15pm, tucked between the bike racks behind the Millcreek Mall entrance near the food court. It's a Giro brand, size Medium, with a noticeable scratch on the left ear piece and a small yellow sun sticker on the back. The shell is in pretty good shape—no cracks—but the strap has a bit of wear from getting tossed around. I figured it likely belongs to a rider who parked nearby, and I hate to see good gear go unclaimed. If this helmet is yours, message me with the sticker detail and we can set up a quick meetup at the mall security desk or outside the main entrance.

Erie 4 months ago

found P

Blue plush dragon toy with yellow wings

I found a blue plush dragon toy this afternoon around 3:45pm near the water taxi dock by Erie Bayfront Marina on State Street. It’s about 12 inches tall, super soft, with a yellow belly and a tiny white star stitched on its right paw. It wears a faded red ribbon around its neck that says 'Skye.' The toy looks well-loved, a bit dusty, like it’s been in a kid’s backpack for a while. If this is yours, drop me a message here and we can work out a pickup around the Bayfront area.

Erie 4 months ago

found A

Blue Pearl snare drum in soft case, found in Erie

I found a blue Pearl snare drum in a black padded case this morning around 9:20am, tucked behind the bike racks near Perry Square on State Street in downtown Erie. The drum is a 14x5.5 inch snare with bright chrome hardware and a tiny dent in the rim at the 3 o'clock position. The case has a round sticker with a white lighthouse and, inside the pocket, a crumpled note with the initials 'L.K.' in blue ink. If this belongs to you, I’d hate for you to lose it; I know how much gear can mean to a musician. Message me here and we’ll figure out how to get it back.

Erie 6 months ago

found P

Red Nike swim trunks found near Perry Square

I found a pair of red Nike swimming trunks this afternoon around 2:15pm behind the Perry Square fountain in downtown Erie. They’re red with a white Nike swoosh on the left leg, size M label, and the neon green drawstring really pops. They’re in good condition overall, just a bit chlorine-stained near the hem from pool days. If the owner recognizes them, please reach out so I can get them back to you—happy to meet up near Perry Square for an easy handoff.

Erie 6 months ago