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

Helpful resources for Cedar Rapids

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Cedar Rapids

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Found travel adapters near NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids, 9:10 AM

Today at 9:10 a.m., I found a travel adapter under a bench near the NewBo City Market entrance in Cedar Rapids. It’s a compact black unit with several plug types folded into a tidy case, clearly used by a traveler. I picked it up and brought it here so the owner can claim it. If this sounds like yours, take a look at the listing and see if the description matches your adapter.

Sentimental

near the NewBo City Market entrance 10 days ago

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Leopard gecko found near NewBo Market

I found a leopard gecko this morning around 9:15 am in the parking lot behind NewBo City Market on 11th Street SE in Cedar Rapids. It's about 4 inches long, yellow with brown spots and a faint orange stripe along the back. It has a small white scar above its left eye and a slightly kinked tail. It seemed curious but a bit spooked, so I kept it in a ventilated tote with a towel and offered a little water. If this belongs to someone, I’d really love to help get it back home.

Cedar Rapids 29 days ago

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Found silver 1TB Samsung T7 SSD near library

I found it this afternoon around 2:15 PM outside the Cedar Rapids Public Library on 5th Ave SE, near the bike racks. It’s a silver 1TB Samsung T7 Portable SSD in a black silicone case, with a bright blue sticker on the back labeled 'KB' and a tiny dent on the bottom-left corner. It powers up on my computer, so it seems to be in working shape, but I can’t tell what’s on it. If you’re missing a digital storage drive for work or memories, I’d really like to help you get it back.

Cedar Rapids about 1 month ago

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Yellow cockatiel with gray tail found near NewBo Market

I found a bright yellow cockatiel this afternoon around 4:15pm outside the NewBo City Market on 11th Street SE in Cedar Rapids. It perched on a railing and kept calling until I offered a sunflower seed; it hopped onto my finger and seemed surprisingly friendly. The bird has orange cheek patches, a gray tail, and a small white feather snag on its left wing from a recent molt. I’m pretty sure someone’s pet is missing this feathery friend, so I’m hoping to help reunite them. If you’re the owner, please reach out—I'll hold onto him safely and can take him to a local vet or shelter if needed.

Cedar Rapids about 1 month ago

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Grey tote bag with striped interior found

I found a grey tote bag (a miscellaneous bag) with a striped navy interior this afternoon around 3:15pm behind the Cedar Rapids Public Library on 5th Ave SE. It's a medium-sized nylon tote with a black zipper and a small red scarf tied to one of the handles. Inside there's a blue notebook from a local bookstore, a pair of sunglasses in a fleece case, and a copper keyring shaped like a pinecone. The bag has a few scuffs on the bottom but otherwise seems intact. If you think it's yours, drop me a note with how you last used it and describe the pinecone keyring—I can meet up near the library to hand it over.

Cedar Rapids about 2 months ago

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Tan medium dog with blue collar found near NewBo

I found a tan, medium-sized dog this afternoon around 4:15pm in the parking lot behind NewBo City Market on 1100 3rd St SE. It’s about 40 pounds with a short coat and a blue collar that has a silver tag reading Buddy 14. It has a small white heart-shaped patch on its chest and a tiny white spot on the left front paw. It’s super friendly, wagging its tail and listening when I called its name. I’m hoping to reunite it with its family soon—it seems well cared for and a bit anxious without its people. If this sounds like your dog, please get in touch.

Cedar Rapids 2 months ago