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

Helpful resources for Long Island

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Long Island

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Found GPS devices on Long Island, NY

I was walking my dog near the Hicksville LIRR Station around 2:45 PM on Saturday when I spotted a small zippered case sitting on a bench. Inside were several GPS devices, tangled cords, and a frayed charger. A sticker with a Long Island address on the case made me think the owner isn’t far away. I picked everything up and brought it home to keep it safe, posting here so the owner can recognize these items and get them back. If you’re reading this, I’ve held onto them and will pass them along through the site if the owner comes forward.

near Hicksville LIRR Station 5 days ago

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Found: Equipment for Various Sports on Long Island

On Saturday at 6:20 p.m., I found Equipment for Various Sports tucked behind a row of beach chairs near the Jones Beach State Park entrance on Long Island. A basketball, two tennis rackets, and a gym bag with a water bottle were all in a messy pile, still warm from the sea breeze. It looked like a late-in-the-day pickup game had just ended and someone forgot their stuff. I brought it to the park office and hoped the rightful owner would see this listing. It feels comforting to think the gear might be reunited with its owner soon.

Near the Jones Beach State Park entrance 8 days ago

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Found wrist watches on the Jones Beach boardwalk

I found a wrist watch lying on the Jones Beach boardwalk around 2:15 PM this past Saturday. It’s a silver-faced watch with a black leather strap and a small scratch near the stem, clearly not mine. I checked nearby benches and trash cans, then asked a few walkers if anyone belonged to it, but no one appeared with an owner. I’m posting this because I’d want someone to claim it if it were theirs, and I hope the rightful owner sees this and can reclaim it through the site.

Jones Beach boardwalk 8 days ago

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Black Michael Kors tote with pink tassel found

I found a black Michael Kors tote this afternoon around 3:15pm in the parking lot behind Macy's at Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City. It's a medium-sized handbag in saffiano leather with gold-tone hardware, and there's a pink tassel on the zipper pull. The interior has a red lining and a small zip pocket with a Michael Kors logo tag. There is a tan leather luggage tag with the initials 'J.P.' attached to the handle—if this is yours, please get in touch so I can return it.

Long Island 3 months ago

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Navy TravelBlue neck pillow with carabiner

I found a navy blue TravelBlue neck pillow this afternoon around 3:15pm behind Macy’s at Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, Long Island. It’s a compact neck pillow with memory-foam fill and a soft, slightly faded fabric cover; there’s a small tear along the seam that’s been mended with a stitch. A bright blue carabiner is clipped to the strap, and there’s a faint plane sticker on the front pocket. I’m glad to help reunite it with its owner—if you recognize these details, I’d love to see it back with you.

Long Island 3 months ago

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Beige Michael Kors handbag with tan trim

I found a beige Michael Kors handbag this afternoon around 3:15pm in the parking lot behind the CVS on Main Street in Mineola, Long Island. It's a medium-sized crossbody with tan leather trim and a gold MK logo plate on the front. Inside there's a blue tassel keychain and a tiny scratch along the bottom corner that might help someone identify it. I'm holding onto it in a safe spot and would love to get it back to its owner. If this sounds like yours, we can verify a couple details to confirm ownership and arrange a pickup.

Long Island 4 months ago