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: Kittens near NewBo Market, Cedar Rapids

I found these three tiny kittens behind NewBo City Market on 11th Ave SE around 2:45 PM today while I was taking a walk after lunch. They are a trio of sweet pockets of fur — one orange tabby, one gray tabby, and a white kitten with a black patch — bright eyes and tiny noses. They were mewing softly and seemed a bit hungry, so I kept them in a safe spot near the market alley and offered them water. They are healthy and curious, and I hope the person who owns them sees this and knows they are safe for now.

Behind NewBo City Market, 11th Ave SE 13 days ago

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Found GPS devices near NewBo City Market

Yesterday around 7:15 PM, I found a handful of GPS devices near the entrance to NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids. They were tucked into a small black pouch by the map wall. I figured someone would be worried and hoped they could be returned to their owner quickly. I’m sharing this here in case the rightful owner passes by the site and recognizes the devices.

near NewBo City Market, downtown Cedar Rapids 20 days ago

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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 2 months 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 3 months 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 3 months 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 4 months ago