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 Appleton-Oshkosh-FDL? 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 Appleton-Oshkosh-FDL; 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 Appleton-Oshkosh-FDL with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for Appleton-Oshkosh-FDL

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Appleton-Oshkosh-FDL

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FOUND: Student ID in Appleton-Oshkosh-FDL, WI

I found a student ID this morning around 8:30 AM along the Fox River Trail by Riverside Park in Appleton-Oshkosh-FDL, Wisconsin. The card shows a photo of a student named Kai Turner and the school logo is visible. It seems to belong to someone in the area who might be studying nearby. I’ve kept it safe and posted this note so the owner can reclaim it if they see this. The found item is a Student ID, and it was found in a place locals know well in that Appleton-Oshkosh-FDL area.

Fox River Trail near Riverside Park, Appleton 17 days ago

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Green budgie with yellow belly found

I found a small green budgie with a bright yellow belly this afternoon around 3:15 PM, perched on a planter outside the Appleton Public Library on Mason Street. It’s about the size of a soda can and looks well cared for, not wild. It has a blue leg band with the numbers 42-ML and a small white patch on its left wing—easy to spot if you know your birds. The little guy chirps when I talk to it and seemed comfy sitting on my finger for a moment while I offered some seeds. If this is yours, reply here with its name and where you last had it, and we can arrange a meetup near the library to return it.

Appleton-Oshkosh-FDL 27 days ago

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Black Michael Kors tote with gold hardware

I found a black Michael Kors tote this afternoon around 3:15pm behind the Appleton Public Library on College Ave, right by the outdoor seating area near the cafe. It's in good condition, with the MK plaque on the front, a gold-tone zipper, and a long adjustable strap. The inside has a burgundy lining, a couple of receipts, and a mint-green tassel attached to the zipper—really makes it easy to spot. There’s a small leather tag stitched inside with an initial 'A'. It looks like it might hold something important to someone, and I’d love to get it back to its owner who’s probably worried. If this seems like yours, I’m around the library area most evenings this week and can arrange a pickup or drop-off nearby.

Appleton-Oshkosh-FDL about 1 month ago

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Black leather briefcase with red interior tag

I found a black leather briefcase this afternoon around 3:15pm in the parking lot behind Fox River Mall, near the Target entrance. It’s a mid-sized Samsonite briefcase with a brass latch and a few scuffs on the bottom corners. Inside there’s a red fabric tag stitched to the lining with the initials 'E.R.' and a small laminated card tucked in the pocket. If this is yours, I’d like to help get it back to you—looks like it held important documents and a sentimental note.

Appleton-Oshkosh-FDL about 1 month ago

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Sun-motif ceramic wall plaque, hand-painted

I found a sun-motif hand-painted ceramic wall plaque yesterday around 3:45pm behind the public library on College Ave in downtown Appleton. It's about 8 inches wide, glossy white with teal rays and gold accents, and there’s a tiny chip on the lower-right corner. The back is stamped with a maker's mark that reads 'L. Mateo,' which might help identify the artist. It’s a decorative item, in good condition overall, and it would brighten any wall. If the owner recognizes this, please reach out—I’d really like to reunite it with you.

Appleton-Oshkosh-FDL about 2 months ago

found A

Black tuxedo jacket found

I found a black tuxedo jacket with satin shawl lapels this afternoon around 2:15pm outside the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center on College Avenue in downtown Appleton. It's a men's size 40R, brand Calvin Klein, in good condition with a light crease from being worn. The inner lining is white with a red thread stitched along the seam, and there's a small brass compass pin I spotted in the left inner pocket—a unique identifier. If this is yours, tell me the brand, size, and the identifying pin so we can arrange a pickup.

Appleton-Oshkosh-FDL about 2 months ago