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

Helpful resources for Florence

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Florence

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Found shopping bags near Florence Mall entrance

I found several shopping bags outside Florence Mall's main entrance at 2:15 pm today. They looked like they'd been left in a hurry, with a receipt rustling inside and a tote that smelled faintly like perfume. I carried them to the mall security desk and filed a quick note with the description. If these belong to you, please check with the mall's lost-and-found; that’s where I left them.

Florence Mall entrance, Florence, SC 7 days ago

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Found GPS devices near Florence Library

I was walking along Dargan Street outside the Florence County Library in Florence around 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday when I spotted several GPS devices under a park bench near the entrance. A car GPS, a handheld unit, and a small smartwatch with positioning data all lay together, slightly dusty but otherwise intact. They looked recently dropped or forgotten. I gathered them and set them aside in a safe place, thinking someone would be worried about missing tech. It felt strange, like a little morning mystery, and I hope the owner finds these soon.

Near Florence County Library on Dargan St 12 days ago

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Found Avians near Florence Library

I found Avians today, around 3:20 p.m., on a bench outside the Florence County Library by Irby Street. The tote held a cluster of small bird figurines—Avians—carefully arranged as if waiting to be admired. I checked for a note or ID and didn’t see anything, so I brought them inside to keep them safe. They look well-loved but not broken, and I’d be glad to return them to whoever is missing them.

Outside Florence County Library, Irby Street 25 days ago

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Found: Equipment for Various Sports near Florence Civic Center

I found a bag of equipment for various sports near Florence Civic Center around 6:40 p.m. on Monday. Inside the bag are a soccer ball, a basketball, a tennis racket, knee pads, and two water bottles. Everything is in a black duffel bag with a faded sticker and the initials SG on the zipper. I left the bag in a safe spot and hope the owner recognizes the gear and claims it soon.

near Florence Civic Center, Florence about 2 months ago

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Keys with orange turtle keychain

I found a set of keys this morning around 8:15am outside the Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence. The keyring has several metal keys and a bright orange silicone turtle keychain that really stands out. There’s also a small black USB drive attached and a frayed red thread tied around the ring. The keys look a bit worn but all functional. If these are yours, message me here with the orange turtle detail and the USB drive to verify, and we can meet up at a nearby café or at the station to swap.

Florence 5 months ago

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FOUND navy blue Nike running jacket

I found a navy blue Nike running jacket this morning around 9:15am along the Arno riverwalk near Ponte Vecchio, Florence. It's a men's size M, in good shape with a bright orange zipper pull and a reflective swoosh on the chest. There's a little coffee stain shaped like a star on the inside label and a tiny fray at the cuff—easy to spot once you know it. If this is yours, tell me about those details and I’ll hang on to it while we figure out the owner.

Florence 5 months ago