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

Helpful resources for Iowa City

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Iowa City

found A

Navy blue cocktail dress with silver belt

I found a navy blue cocktail dress this afternoon around 2:50pm near the Old Capitol Building on Clinton Street in downtown Iowa City. It's a knee-length satin dress, size M, with a slim silver belt and delicate beaded trim along the neckline. The fabric has a tiny snag near the hem, but otherwise it's in good condition. Inside the lining there's a small pink satin label that reads 'Made in Italy' and a handwritten tag with the initials 'K.S.' I think it's someone's dress for a formal event, and if this sounds like yours, email me at [email protected] with a quick description so we can get it back to you.

Iowa City about 2 months ago

found A

Found wireless earbuds with charging case

I found a pair of wireless earbuds this afternoon around 2:30pm behind the Old Capitol building on College Street, near the UI Bookstore. The case is glossy black with a white lid and a small dent along the edge. The earbuds are white with light gray silicone tips, and one bud has a tiny blue sticker on the inner side. Inside the lid there’s a faded engraving 'A.O.' that might help the owner identify them. These are electronics accessories and they look relatively new, so I figured someone might be missing them after class or a study break in this area.

Iowa City 3 months ago

found A

Grey tote bag found near Java House, Ped Mall

Found a grey canvas tote bag this afternoon around 3:15 pm on the Ped Mall near Java House, downtown Iowa City. It's a Madewell tote with black leather handles, medium size, and a few scuffs along the bottom. Inside you'll find a bright yellow notebook, a black USB-C charger, and a pink gel pen with a tiny enamel guitar pin on the inner pocket. There's a small coffee ring on the front pocket and a faded sticker that says 'Iowa City Rocks'—unique features to help identify it. If this is yours or you know who it belongs to, I’d love to get it back and can meet up around Clinton Street or the library steps to return it.

Iowa City 4 months ago

found P

Found iPhone 12 Pro in space gray

I found a space gray iPhone 12 Pro this afternoon around 3:15pm in the parking lot behind the Iowa City Public Library on Jefferson Street. It's tucked in a blue OtterBox Defender case with a tiny panda sticker on the back, and there's a noticeable crack along the top edge. The screen lights up and shows a few personal photos, and the battery indicator looked healthy. If this belongs to you, I’d like to help get it back—tell me a couple identifying details or the last thing you saw on the lock screen, and we can arrange a safe meetup near the library.

Iowa City 4 months ago

found A

Blue umbrella with sunflower sticker

I found a blue umbrella with a bright sunflower sticker this afternoon around 3:45pm near the Englert Theatre in downtown Iowa City. It's a compact navy blue canopy with a black grip and a dented silver tip from windy days. The sunflower sticker is vivid and easy to spot, and there's a small white tag on the wrist strap with the initials 'A.H.' on it. The umbrella looks well used but sturdy, and I think it means a lot to whoever lost it. If you recognize it, I'd be happy to reunite it with you.

Iowa City 4 months ago

found A

Found paperback: The Midnight Library with teal cover

I found a paperback copy of The Midnight Library this afternoon around 3:15 pm, lying on the sidewalk in front of the Iowa City Public Library's College Street entrance, near the bike racks. It's a mass-market edition with a teal cover, slightly worn corners, and a small coffee stain along the back edge. There's a blue ribbon bookmark sticking out between pages around 120-125, and the pages show a bit of dog-eared wear. It seems well-loved but not damaged; I think it must mean something to the person who owns it. If this rings a bell for you, I'd really like to help get it back to you.

Iowa City 6 months ago