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

Helpful resources for Hattiesburg

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Hattiesburg

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Found: Breeds in Hattiesburg, MS

Early this morning around 10:05 AM, I FOUND an item labeled Breeds on a bench near Circle Park in downtown Hattiesburg. It looked like a small booklet or a stack of cards about different dog breeds, bound with a red string and weathered from sun. There was no one nearby, so I left it where it could be seen and walked on. I’m sharing this here hoping the owner will see it and come to claim their Breeds sometime soon.

Circle Park, downtown Hattiesburg 6 days ago

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FOUND Dresses near USM campus on Hardy Street

Saturday around 3:20 p.m., I found a bundle of dresses outside the University of Southern Mississippi entrance on Hardy Street in Hattiesburg. They’re a mix of gowns and sundresses in navy, blush, and black, neatly folded in a garment bag. I felt a rush of relief thinking of someone missing these and hoped the owner would see this post. I left them securely with the campus security desk to keep them safe until the rightful owner is found.

Sentimental

near the Hardy Street entrance, USM campus about 2 months ago

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Found Belts near Saenger Theatre

Hey, I’m Avery Johnson. Around 9:00 p.m. today I found Belts on the sidewalk outside the Saenger Theatre, downtown Hattiesburg. The belts are two different styles—one brown leather with a brass buckle and a worn black fabric belt—so I kept them together in a small tote by my apartment. I know someone out there is missing them after a night out, so I hope the owner recognizes this post and claims them here. I’ll make sure they stay safe and undamaged until they’re reunited.

Outside the Saenger Theatre, downtown Hattiesburg 3 months ago

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Found drones in Hattiesburg, MS

Last Friday around 7:15 PM, I found two drones behind the University of Southern Mississippi campus, near the parking lot off Hardy Street. They were in a black carry case with a spare propeller tucked beside the controllers, the screens catching the streetlights. The air smelled of rain-soaked grass from the late evening, and distant traffic hummed along US-49. I am posting here in case the owners recognize them and can reclaim them through the site.

behind the USM campus on Hardy Street 3 months ago

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Found sheet music near downtown Hattiesburg

I found a folder of sheet music tucked under a bench on Main Street in downtown Hattiesburg around 5:30 p.m. yesterday, near the library steps. The pages are well-worn, some notes smudged with practice, and the handwriting on the first page looks rushed but familiar. It felt like stumbling onto a small piece of someone's daily life - practice, patience, and a few quiet hours spent chasing a melody. I'm keeping it safe here for now, hoping the rightful owner sees this and will recognize their music soon.

Sentimental

Near the Saenger Theatre on Main Street, downtown Hattiesburg 3 months ago

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Silver Yamaha flute with engraved initials

I found a silver Yamaha flute this afternoon around 4:15 pm behind the USM Student Union, near Cook Library on campus in Hattiesburg. It’s in a black hard case with a bright blue cleaning rod tucked inside; the headjoint has small initials 'AK' engraved near the lip, and there’s a tiny dent on the foot joint. The flute shows light scratches but otherwise seems well cared for, and I know how important a flute can be for a student’s practice—really hoping to get it back to its owner. If you're missing a wind instrument in Hattiesburg, drop me a note at [email protected].

Hattiesburg 4 months ago