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

Helpful resources for New Orleans

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in New Orleans

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Found GPS devices near Canal Street, New Orleans

On Tuesday at 2:15 PM, I was relaxing near the French Market on Decatur Street when I spotted a black zippered pouch tucked behind a bench. Inside were three GPS devices, tangled cables, and a small charger, all still warm from recent use. It looked like someone hurried away and forgot it in the bustle of downtown. I felt relieved to find something that could help its owner, and I brought it here so the rightful owner can reclaim it.

by the French Market, Decatur Street 3 days ago

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Found parrots after rain near Jackson Square.

I found these parrots this afternoon around 4:15 p.m., perched on a cafe chair along Royal Street by Jackson Square in New Orleans, LA. They were bright green with yellow underwings and a clipped-looking beak, and they seemed curious but hungry, fluttering between my arms and the railing as I approached. They hopped onto my backpack for a moment, then settled back on the railing where I stood, squawking a friendly tune that sounded almost like a hello. I suspect they belong to someone nearby who lets them roam, and I’d hate for them to end up in a shelter. If you recognize these birds, please pass along any information through the site.

French Quarter, near Jackson Square 4 days ago

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Found: Chokers near French Market, New Orleans, LA

While wandering the French Market on Saturday around 3:12 PM, near Jackson Square, I found a small black velvet pouch lying on the cobblestones. Inside were three chokers—one black ribbon, one silver chain, and a red beaded strand. I know how personal pieces like these can feel, and I wanted to make sure they found their way back to their owner. I’m posting this here so the rightful owner can claim them through the site.

French Market, near Jackson Square 6 days ago

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FOUND: Xylophones near Jackson Square, New Orleans

At 4:15 PM on Friday, I was walking from the French Market toward Jackson Square in the French Quarter when I spotted a wooden case tucked behind a bench by the railing. A bright set of xylophones peered out, their mallets tucked inside the lid. It looked like someone had been busking and had to hurry off into the bustle of Royal Street. My heart gave a little jump—these instruments carry so many memories for musicians here. I carried the case toward the nearest shop window and hoped the owner would find it through this post.

Near Jackson Square, French Quarter 15 days ago

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Found: Felines near the French Market

found: I found a tote labeled Felines sitting on the curb at the corner of Decatur Street and Esplanade Avenue around 7:45 PM on Tuesday, near the French Market in New Orleans. Inside were two ceramic cat figurines, a small plush cat, and a notebook with sketches of felines. It looked loved and perhaps left in a hurry by someone who adores cats, and I felt a tug of sympathy thinking about a pet that is missed. I turned it in at the market's lost-and-found desk by the riverfront, hoping the rightful owner would see this listing. If this sounds like yours, know that it's been kept safe and awaits pickup through the site.

Reward

near the French Market, by the riverfront tram stop 15 days ago

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Found travel adapters in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

I found travel adapters last Friday evening in New Orleans. I picked them up from a bench near Jackson Square on Bourbon Street, around 9:30 PM, just outside Cafe Du Monde. They were in a small black pouch with a few assorted plugs—clearly someone on a trip. I know how nerve-wracking it is to misplace them, so I’m leaving them here in case the owner spots this and can reclaim them.

Jackson Square near Cafe Du Monde, French Quarter about 1 month ago