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

Helpful resources for Ventura County

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Ventura County

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FOUND: passports near Ventura Harbor Village.

I was out for a morning walk along the Ventura Harbor Walk at 9:30 a.m. today, the water glinting as gulls cried above the docks, when I spotted a small black carry-on tucked behind a bench by the marina. Inside were two passports and a few travel documents, pages fluttering in the sea breeze. It was a gut-punch moment—someone should be traveling soon, and this could derail their plans. I kept the papers dry and free of fingerprints, hoping the owner will see this listing and reclaim them quickly via the site. The owner's photo on one page is bright and friendly; I hope they make it back to their trip soon.

along the Ventura Harbor Walk by the marina about 7 hours ago

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Found student ID near Ventura College

Hi, I’m Diego Ramirez. I found a student ID on Tuesday around 9:25 AM on the steps outside the Ventura College Library, near the east entrance, in Ventura County. The card has a photo and a campus address, and it looks like it had been dropped recently. I picked it up and held onto it, hoping to see the owner reunite with it soon. It felt good to help, even in a small way.

east entrance of the Ventura College Library 8 days ago

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Found sheet music near Ventura Pier, Ventura County

While strolling along the Ventura Promenade by the harbor at about 3:15 p.m. today, I found a folder of sheet music left on a bench. The pages show a few practice marks and pencil notes, and the cover bears a school name, indicating it belongs to a student nearby. I picked it up and turned it in to the lost-and-found area, hoping the owner will spot this post and reclaim it soon.

Ventura Promenade, near the Ventura Pier 10 days ago

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Blue Trek road bike with red water bottle

I found a blue Trek road bike leaning against a bike rack outside the Ventura Harbor Village in Ventura County, along the Seaside Promenade this afternoon around 1:45 pm. It’s a medium frame, matte blue with a white Trek logo and a bright red water bottle tucked in the cage. The saddle has a small tear on the left side, and the handlebars are wrapped in black tape that’s starting to peel. There’s a reflective sticker on the frame and a tiny dent on the top tube near the head badge—easy to spot once you know what to look for. If this sounds like yours, I’ll be around this area for a bit and can point you to where I left it.

Ventura County 16 days ago

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Silver ring with emerald inlay; found near Oxnard Beach Park

I found a silver ring with an emerald inlay this afternoon around 4:15pm near the Oxnard Beach Park entrance on Harbor Boulevard, right by the bike path. It's sterling silver, about size 7, with a simple bezel setting and a small green emerald in the center. There are tiny initials 'A.R.' engraved on the inside of the band and a shallow scratch along the outer edge from wear. The ring is in decent condition overall and looks well cared for. I’d love to reunite it with its owner—please reach out if you recognize it.

Ventura County 20 days ago

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Leopard gecko found behind Camarillo Premium Outlets

Found a leopard gecko this afternoon around 2:45pm in the parking lot behind the Camarillo Premium Outlets off Ventura Boulevard. It's about 6 inches long, cream-colored with irregular brown spots, and a bright orange tail that catches streetlight at dusk. The gecko seems healthy and calm, and I kept it in a shallow plastic container with a damp paper towel so it doesn't dry out. It has a couple of unique marks: a small crescent-shaped scar on its left flank and a slightly lighter tip on its tail. If this belongs to you or if you recognize these features, I'm happy to help reunite it with its owner—reach out at [email protected].

Ventura County 23 days ago