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

Helpful resources for Springfield

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Springfield

found P

Blue reflective dog harness and leash

I found a blue reflective dog harness with a matching neon-orange leash this afternoon around 2pm near the Springfield Public Library on Oak Street. The harness is size small, bright blue with reflective stripes and a quick-release buckle that still feels solid. There’s a tiny paw-print embroidery on the chest strap and a small scratch on the metal ring where the leash attaches; the leash itself is black with a padded neoprene handle and a short extra seam. There’s also a little squeaky toy clipped to the leash, which made it easy to spot. If this belongs to you, message me here and we can arrange a pickup near the library.

Springfield about 2 months ago

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Calico cat with red collar found near library

Found a calico cat this afternoon around 3:15pm near the Springfield Public Library on Main Street. She is medium sized, white with orange and black patches, and she wears a bright red collar with a tiny silver bell. I checked for a microchip at VetCare nearby, but no chip showed up. She looks well cared for, is friendly, and has a tiny notch in her left ear—easy to spot. If this is your cat, message me with details so we can arrange a meetup in a safe place in Springfield.

Springfield 2 months ago

found A

Grey travel neck pillow with blue logo

I found a grey memory-foam travel neck pillow this afternoon around 4:15pm, tucked under a bench outside the Springfield Public Library on Main Street by the fountain. It's about 12 inches long, with a soft heather-grey cover and a small blue 'AirNova' logo stitched on the side. There’s a faint coffee stain on the fabric near the seam and a slim navy strap that helps keep it in place while you nap on a bus. I grabbed it because it looked like someone might be missing it, and I'd want someone to do the same for me. If this belongs to you, tell me the logo, the stain, and where you last used it so I can verify and return it.

Springfield 3 months ago

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Gold-tone hoop earring with turquoise bead

Found a gold-tone hoop earring with a tiny turquoise bead this afternoon around 3:15pm near the Springfield City Library on East Main Street, by the fountain outside the coffee shop. The hoop is about 1 cm in diameter, and there's a small scratch on the back post; the turquoise bead is bright and intact, and there's a subtle '925' stamp on the inner rim. I picked it up off the sidewalk near the library entrance because it looked important to someone. Earrings can be sentimental, and I’d love to help reunite it with its owner—if this might be yours, reply to this listing and I’ll share my contact details.

Springfield 4 months ago

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Found GoPro HERO9 Black with blue silicone case

I found a GoPro HERO9 Black this afternoon around 4:10 pm behind the Springfield Central Library on Oak Street, near Bean & Brew. It’s in a blue silicone protective case with a red strap loop and a small panda sticker on the housing. The camera itself has a light scratch on the front corner, and there’s a microSD card sticking out of the slot with holiday footage labeled '2024' in Sharpie. I picked it up near the bike racks by the library entrance and kept it safe, hoping to reunite it with its owner. If you recognize this setup, please reach out so we can arrange a prompt return.

Springfield 4 months ago

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Blue plush dinosaur toy with star patch

I found a blue plush dinosaur toy this afternoon around 3:15pm outside the Springfield Public Library on Oak Street. The little guy is about 12 inches tall, soft fleece fabric, bright blue with a white belly and tiny yellow star patch stitched onto his left foot. He looks well-loved but clean, with one eye embroidered in a friendly star and a small rip along the seam by the tail that’s barely noticeable. He’s clearly a kid’s toy, probably dropped during a stroll past the library steps. If this belongs to someone, I’d love to get him back to the right kid—I know how much these little companions can mean.

Springfield 4 months ago