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

Helpful resources for Tuscaloosa

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Tuscaloosa

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Found dolls near Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre

On Friday at 7:30 p.m., I found these dolls behind a planter near the east entrance of the Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre. They were tucked in a small tote, clean but dusty from the walk along the river. They looked cared for, almost waiting for a child to claim them, and I felt a sense of responsibility to help reunite them with their family. This listing is a small attempt to bring them home.

east entrance by the amphitheatre 1 day ago

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FOUND: Memory Cards in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States

While walking along the Riverwalk by Bryant-Denny Stadium around 4:15 p.m., I spotted a small red case with memory cards lying on the ground near a bench. Inside were two SD cards and a microSD adapter. They looked personal and important, and I figured the owner would want them back more than I would want to hold onto them. I’m keeping them safe here at the site until the owner claims them. Please contact me through the site and tell me a rough description of what was on the cards.

Near Bryant-Denny Stadium, Riverwalk entrance 12 days ago

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Blue reflective dog collar with ID tag

I found a blue reflective dog collar this afternoon around 3:15pm in the parking lot behind the Walmart on McFarland Boulevard in Tuscaloosa. It's a nylon collar in bright blue with a tiny silver bell and a red bone-shaped ID tag that reads 'Nova' and a phone number that's a bit faded. The collar is in good condition, just a little muddy from the curb, and it was lying near the cart return area. If this belongs to your dog, please message me here so we can arrange a pickup and get it back to you.

Tuscaloosa 4 months ago

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Found tablet in black OtterBox case near Tuscaloosa Public Library

I found a silver 10-inch tablet in a black OtterBox Defender case this afternoon around 2:15pm behind the Tuscaloosa Public Library, near the back entrance by the bike racks on Jack Warner Parkway. The screen has a small crack in the top-right corner, and a purple charging cable is tucked into the case. It still powers on and the wallpaper shows a mountain lake photo, and the device seems otherwise in decent condition. If this belongs to someone, please reach out so I can help get it back to you.

Tuscaloosa 6 months ago

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Bearded dragon, tan with orange markings, found near Walmart

I found a bearded dragon this afternoon around 3:15pm near the Walmart on McFarland Boulevard in Tuscaloosa. It's about 6 inches long from snout to tail, with a sandy tan color and bright orange markings along its back and a small, dark orange beard when it breathes. It was in a clear plastic carrier with a blue latch and a tiny red heat lamp poking out the top, and the lid has a few bite marks from a curious moment. It has a small crescent-shaped scar above its left eye and a distinctive V-shaped orange patch on its throat. It seems healthy and curious, and I can tell it’s someone’s pet who’s probably worried about it being gone. If this is your dragon, I’d love to help get it back to you.

Tuscaloosa 6 months ago

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Sterling silver bracelet with heart charm found near Bryant-Denny

I found a sterling silver bracelet yesterday around 3:15 pm in the parking lot behind the University Bookstore on University Boulevard, in Tuscaloosa near Bryant-Denny Stadium. It's about 7 inches long, with a simple chain and a small heart charm that has a delicate floral engraving. The clasp shows a faint scratch from wear, and on the inside of the charm there's a tiny 'A.J.' engraving that might help identify the owner. The bracelet is in good overall condition beyond that minor wear. If this belongs to you, I can arrange a meetup near Bryant-Denny Stadium or at the library to verify ownership and get it back.

Tuscaloosa 7 months ago