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

Helpful resources for Broward County

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Broward County

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Found holiday decorations in Broward County

I was walking along Las Olas Boulevard in Broward County, Fort Lauderdale, on Friday around 7:20 PM when I spotted a box of holiday decorations tucked behind a planter by the water taxi stop. There was a jumble of ornaments, ribbons, and lights, all smelling faintly of pine and rain. I figured someone must be missing these after a neighborhood party, so I brought them to the local lost-and-found area to help reunite them with their owner. It felt good to do the right thing, even if it was a small gesture. They are now waiting for the rightful owner to claim them.

Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale 16 days ago

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Found microwaves in Broward County, Florida, United States

I was taking a break behind a strip mall on Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale around 3:20 p.m. on Saturday when I noticed two microwaves tucked behind a dumpster in the parking lot. The appliances look undamaged and clean, just a bit dusty from a long day in storage. I figured someone might be missing them, so I brought them to the building’s security desk for safekeeping until the owner steps forward. I’m posting here to help reunite them with the rightful owner—these aren’t mine to keep, and I’d hate to see them go to waste.

Sentimental

behind the strip mall on Broward Blvd, Fort Lauderdale about 1 month ago

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Glucose meter kit found in teal pouch

Found a glucose meter kit this morning around 9:15am in the parking lot behind the Walgreens on US-1 (Federal Highway) near Atlantic Boulevard in Pompano Beach, Broward County. It's a small white glucose meter about the size of a palm, tucked into a teal zip pouch with a clear window. The pouch has a tiny pineapple sticker on the corner and a faint coffee smudge along the zipper. The kit includes a handful of test strips and appears gently used but in good condition. This seems important to someone who relies on it daily—if you recognize it, I’ll help get it back to you.

Broward County 2 months ago

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Blue and white striped queen sheet set

I found a blue and white striped queen sheet set this afternoon around 2:15 pm in the parking lot behind the Walmart on Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County. It includes a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases. The fabric feels like a cotton-poly blend, a bit soft but still with a little wrinkle from being in a bag. There’s a small blue embroidered sun near the top corner of one pillowcase and a tiny snag along the hem of the flat sheet. The brand tag reads 'Ocean Breeze' in turquoise. If this is yours, email me at [email protected] and we can arrange a safe pickup nearby.

Broward County 3 months ago

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Vintage 1980s baseball card binder

I found a red 3-ring binder stuffed with vintage baseball cards this morning around 10:15am in the parking lot behind the Publix on Federal Highway (US-1) near SE 17th Street in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County. The binder is labeled 'Topps 1986 Series 1' on the spine, and inside there are mostly 1984-1988 cards, with yellowed edges and a few sleeve tears. There’s a small blue sticker on the front cover with a tiny compass icon, and a blue ink note inside reading 'JR - 1985'. I'd love to reunite this collection with its owner, it looks well-loved and clearly valuable to someone.

Broward County 3 months ago

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Sunburst violin in case found near Sunrise Blvd

I found a full-size violin in a sunburst Stentor case this afternoon around 3:15pm outside the CVS on Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. The instrument looks like a student-grade violin—there are a few scratches on the back and a tiny nick near the chin rest, but it still looks playable. Inside the lid there’s a faded paper label with the name 'A. Rivera' written in blue ink, and the lining is bright red. It feels sentimental and deserves to go back to its owner, especially if it was a gift or something someone saved up for. If this is yours, I’d be glad to help arrange a meetup in Broward County to return it.

Broward County 3 months ago