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

Helpful resources for Lawrence

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Lawrence

found E

Found board games near Mass St and KU campus.

I was walking back from the farmers market on Saturday evening when I spotted a tote tucked behind a bench outside the Free State Brewing Co. on Massachusetts Street, downtown Lawrence. At 6:45 PM, it looked like someone had just left a little game night in a hurry—the tote held Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, and a handful of kids’ favorites, all in good condition. It felt like a small moment of shared joy, and I could imagine the owner stressing a bit about where their plans had disappeared to. I kept it safe and thought about how much a simple box of games can brighten a weekend. If this sounds like yours, I’m here, holding onto it until the site helps reunite you.

Sentimental

outside Free State Brewing Co., Mass St, downtown Lawrence 1 day ago

found D

Found handheld console and charger on Mass Street, Lawrence

Last Thursday around 7:15 PM, I was strolling down Mass Street when I spotted a handheld gaming console and its charger lying under a bench outside a coffee shop. The sunset bounced off the screen, and it looked like someone had been there a while. I picked it up, kept it safe, and posted this in hopes the owner will recognize the device. It would be a relief to see it back with its rightful owner.

Mass Street, downtown Lawrence, near Free State Brewing Co. 6 days ago

found A

Found multi-sport equipment bag near Memorial Stadium, Lawrence.

I found this bag tucked behind the West Entrance of Memorial Stadium after the Friday night game, around 6:15 p.m. It’s packed with gear for multiple sports—a soccer ball, a baseball glove, a tennis racket, and shin guards—stuff that clearly belongs to an active player. The bag was left in a way that suggested someone must have forgotten it after practice. I’m posting it here in case the owner recognizes it and claims it.

Sentimental

near Memorial Stadium about 1 month ago

found G

Found: Student ID in Lawrence, KS

I was wandering down Massachusetts Street around 4:15 p.m. last Friday when I spotted a Student ID lying on a bench near Free State Brewing Co. The name on the card looked real, and it clearly wasn't mine, so I picked it up and checked nearby for anyone who might be missing it. I brought it to the information desk at the KU student union and left it there so the owner could reclaim it. It felt good to return something important to the right person, and I walked away grateful.

Sentimental

Near Free State Brewing Co., Massachusetts St about 2 months ago

found L

Found: Pants on Mass St near Jayhawk Fountain.

I was walking down Massachusetts Street in downtown Lawrence around 3:20 p.m. today when a pair of gray pants tumbled from a backpack and landed by the Jayhawk Fountain. I checked for a tag, but there was nothing obvious. They look like men's casual chinos in medium gray, with a small belt-loop tear near the left knee. The owner might be frazzled from a busy afternoon, and I hope the rightful owner sees this listing and knows the pants were found somewhere in this lively corner of town.

Jayhawk Fountain, Mass St. about 2 months ago

found K

Found radios on Mass Street, downtown Lawrence today

This morning around 10:15 am, I found a pair of radios lying on the sidewalk by Massachusetts Street near the Free State Brewing Co. in downtown Lawrence. They look well-worn, with a chipped knob and a faded thrift-store sticker. They’re in a weathered gray leather case and clearly belong to someone who loves vintage gear. I’m hoping to reunite them with their owner and put the pieces back where they belong.

by the Free State Brewing Co. on Mass St 2 months ago