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 Cape Cod / Islands? 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 Cape Cod / Islands; 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 Cape Cod / Islands with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for Cape Cod / Islands

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Cape Cod / Islands

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Found four chairs near Hyannis Harbor

I was walking the Hyannis waterfront last night, around 6:15 p.m., when I spotted a neat row of four folding chairs tucked between the railing and the ramp to the ferry terminal. They are lightweight aluminum with chipped blue paint and one chair still has a faded sticker with a sailboat. They looked like they were left behind after a small gathering, maybe a sunset snack on the seawall. It felt hopeful to think someone might be missing them, so I posted this listing and hope to reunite them with their owner.

Sentimental

near the Hyannis Harbor ferry terminal about 18 hours ago

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Found avians near Hyannis Harbor, Cape Cod

I was walking along the Hyannis harbor on Cape Cod this morning around 9:10 a.m. when I heard a fluttering behind a cluster of boats. I found a small travel cage tucked beside a shed near the ferry dock, and inside were three avians—a bright blue parakeet, a yellow canary, and a shy brown cockatiel. They looked hungry but gentle, and they calmed when I spoke softly and offered seeds from my bag. I’ve kept them safe on my porch and am hoping to reconnect them with their owner soon. They’re clearly someone’s pets, not wild birds. If these birds belong to you, please reach out through the site so we can reunite them.

Harborfront near Hyannis Ferry Terminal, Cape Cod 25 days ago

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Found: silver studs near Hyannis Ferry Terminal

I was out for a morning stroll along the Hyannis Harbor path near the Hyannis Ferry Terminal at 7:28 a.m. today when I spotted a small jewelry pouch on the gravel. Inside were a pair of silver studs with tiny crystals, their backs still in place. They're not mine, and I felt a tug of responsibility to try to get them back to their owner. I tucked them in a clean tissue and kept them safe, hoping this note helps the rightful owner recognize them.

Hyannis Ferry Terminal 25 days ago

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Found keyboard near Hyannis Harbor

I found a keyboard on Main Street in Hyannis around 6:20 p.m. today, sitting by a bench near Hyannis Harbor and the ferry terminal. It’s a black 61-key model in a blue gig bag, with a small sticker that says 'Nova' on the handle and a couple of keys sticking. I picked it up and stood guard nearby, hoping to keep it safe until the owner arrives. If you are missing a keyboard, I hope this helps reunite you with it.

by the Hyannis Harbor ferry terminal on Main Street about 2 months ago

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Navy knit scarf found near Hyannis Cape Cod Mall

I found this navy knit scarf this afternoon around 2:15pm in the Cape Cod Mall parking lot off Route 132 in Hyannis. It's about 60 inches long, soft with a little pilling from wear, and in good condition overall. There’s a small pinecone pin near the fringe on the left edge and faint initials 'MV' stitched on the care label. I figured someone might be missing it and would hate for it to drift away. If you recognize it, share the pin detail and initials and where you last wore it so we can reunite it.

Cape Cod / Islands 4 months ago

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Blue Jansport backpack with red star patch

I found a blue Jansport backpack this afternoon around 2:15pm near the Steamship Authority ferry terminal in Woods Hole, Cape Cod. It’s a standard-size backpack in decent condition, fade-blue fabric with a bright red star patch on the front pocket and a small coffee stain on the bottom corner. Inside there are a spiral notebook, a stainless steel water bottle, and a pair of yellow wired headphones tucked in the main compartment. The zippers work but the fabric at the lower edge is a bit worn from rain. If this belongs to you, I’m hoping to reunite you with it—photos or a description of the notebook’s pages would help verify.

Cape Cod / Islands 5 months ago