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

Helpful resources for Southeast Alaska

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Southeast Alaska

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Found sports equipment in Southeast Alaska

I found a black duffel bag stuffed with a mix of sports gear on a bench at the Juneau waterfront, near the cruise ship dock, around 6:20 pm on July 3. Inside there’s a basketball, two tennis rackets, knee pads, and a faded rugby jersey, all tucked under a light-blue towel. The bag looks recently dropped and has a worn patch that says 'Practice' on a pocket. I know how stressful it is to misplace your gear before practice or a game, so I’m posting here to help it find its owner. If this sounds like yours, please check this listing and claim it on the site.

Juneau waterfront, near the cruise ship dock. 3 days ago

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Found kittens in Southeast Alaska

I found two tiny kittens behind the Alaska State Museum near the Juneau-Douglas Ferry Terminal at 7:30 PM on July 18. One is orange tabby with a white chest, the other grey with a black tail; both wore faint blue collars that had long since faded. They soothed when I stroked them, and I warmed them with a sweater until they purred. I hope the owners recognize them, and I’ll keep them safe until they’re reunited.

near the Juneau-Douglas Public Library 12 days ago

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Found: Hoops near Juneau waterfront

Found a pair of hoop earrings on the sidewalk by the Juneau downtown waterfront, near the cruise ship dock, around 3:50 p.m. yesterday. The hoops are medium-sized, one silver, the other slightly tarnished gold, with simple wires and a tiny charm on the silver one. They sat there for a moment, catching the breeze from the harbor before I picked them up and tucked them into a small pouch I keep in my coat. It’s rough losing something personal in a place buzzing with travelers and locals alike, and I hope their owner spots them soon.

Juneau downtown waterfront, near the cruise ship dock about 2 months ago

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FOUND: Memory cards near Mendenhall Trail, Juneau

I found a small waterproof case tucked under a spruce along the Mendenhall Trail around 7:15 p.m. last Saturday, near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. Inside were several memory cards, along with a few photos from a summer road trip and a short notebook with a blog draft. I felt a mix of relief and responsibility—these are someone’s memories, after all. I left the case in a dry spot near the trailhead and hope the owner sees this post and can reclaim them through the site.

near Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center 2 months ago

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FOUND Travel Adapters near Juneau waterfront

I’m Emily Carter. I found a small blue zip-case with travel adapters on the Juneau waterfront, near the ferry terminal, at 8:15 PM last Friday. A couple of travelers rushed by as I was turning to head home, and I spotted the pouch sitting on a bench, barely tucked under a poster. I picked it up and tucked it in my jacket, thinking the owner would be grateful to have it back. It’s a simple, practical thing, and I’d be glad to see it go back to its owner; please claim these on the site if they’re yours.

Juneau waterfront, near the ferry terminal 3 months ago

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Found Pins in Southeast Alaska

While strolling along the Juneau waterfront near the Alaska State Capitol steps this morning around 11:20 am, I spotted a handful of pins lying on the concrete near a bench. I picked them up, thinking the owner might have dropped them during the busy tourist rush. The pins are bright enamel with various shapes—an orca, a totem pole, and a tiny bear—clearly someone’s collection. I don’t know who they belong to, but they seemed meaningful. If the owner sees this, I can arrange a meetup at a convenient spot; I’m glad to help reunite these keepsakes.

Alaska State Capitol steps, Juneau waterfront 3 months ago