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

Helpful resources for Boise

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Boise

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Found sculptures in Boise

While strolling along Grove Street outside the Boise Public Library around 12:40 p.m. today, I found two small sculptures resting on a bench. One is a ceramic figure with a teal glaze; the other is a sleek, abstract form in muted tones, both the size of a paperback. They were dusty but intact, tucked away behind a fern as if someone set them down for a moment and forgot. I left them safe on the bench nearby, hoping the owner will see this listing and recognize them.

outside Boise Public Library, Capitol Blvd entrance 20 days ago

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Found remote controls near Boise library area

I found these remote controls this morning behind the Boise Public Library along Bannock Street, around 9:10 a.m. today. They’re two different remotes—one glossy black with a cracked face and the other a chunky gray model with a dent in the corner. I left them where I found them for a moment while I checked the nearby benches, hoping someone might come back looking for them. It’s a small thing, but I know how frustrating it is to lose something familiar, and I hope the rightful owner sees this and recovers them soon.

Reward

Behind Boise Public Library on Bannock St. about 1 month ago

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Found: Holiday decorations in Boise

I found a tote of holiday decorations on the curb near the Boise Depot around 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, while walking home from the Boise River Greenbelt. Inside were tangled multicolor lights, a red velvet bow, a spiraled garland, and a folded 'Merry Christmas' banner. They looked well cared for and clearly waited for some festive setup. I’m keeping them safe until the owner can reclaim them, and I hope this post helps reunite them with the right home.

near the Boise Depot about 2 months ago

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Leopard gecko with orange spots found near Boise River

I found a small leopard gecko this afternoon around 2:15 pm along the Boise River Greenbelt by Julia Davis Park. It's about 4 inches from head to tail, yellowish with orange spots and a slightly darker stripe along the back. Its toes look a little dusty from the riverbank, and there's a tiny blue speck on its left hind leg plus a small black dot near the base of the tail—two easy telltales if this is yours. It seemed calm but a bit spooked, like it had been wandering for a while, and I figured someone might be missing it after today's rain. If this gecko is yours, I would love to help reunite you—let me know any extra details I can confirm.

Boise 2 months ago

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Blue Nike running shorts found near Boise River Greenbelt

Found a pair of blue Nike running shorts this afternoon around 4:15pm along the Boise River Greenbelt, near the 8th Street bridge behind the Boise Depot, close to Julia Davis Park. They’re royal blue with a neon lime-green drawstring and a small embroidered swoosh on the left leg; size looks like Large, and the material is lightweight with a mesh lining, in good condition aside from a faint sweat stain inside. I spotted them on the grass near the bike path and figured someone might be missing them. If these are yours, I’d love to help reunite you—we can meet somewhere convenient in downtown Boise.

Boise 2 months ago

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Found red Mapex snare drum with blue star sticker

I found a red Mapex snare drum with a bright blue star sticker on the shell this afternoon around 4:15 pm near the Boise Public Library on Capitol Boulevard. It's a 14-inch snare with a matte red finish, a tiny dent on the rim, and a worn leather strap stamped with the initials 'RS' tucked under the drum. There was no case or label, which makes me think someone was practicing outside and accidentally left it behind. If this belongs to you or your band, reach out and I’ll get it back to you—gear like this means a lot to players.

Boise 3 months ago