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

Helpful resources for Chattanooga

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Chattanooga

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Found microwave behind the Chattanooga Choo Choo

Today, around 9:15 AM, I found a microwave sitting on a loading cart behind the Chattanooga Choo Choo near Broad Street. It looked recently used, with a few crumbs and a smudge of butter on the door. I carried it to the sidewalk and wiped it down, thinking surely someone is missing their kitchen helper. The moment felt oddly hopeful, like a small piece of someone’s home had wandered into the wrong corner of downtown and found a new moment of safety.

Behind the Chattanooga Choo Choo, near Broad St 16 days ago

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Blue Penguin Classics paperback with yellow sticky note

I found a blue Penguin Classics paperback this afternoon around 2:15pm along the Riverfront in Chattanooga, near the Walnut Street Bridge off Market Street. It's a Penguin Classics edition, slightly creased, with a white spine and a soft cover. Inside, there's a yellow sticky note tucked in the back cover with the initials 'L.H.' and a pressed daisy between pages 42 and 43. A coffee ring marks the bottom edge of page 58. The book looks well-loved and clearly has been read many times; someone clearly cherished it. If you recognize this, I would like to help get it back to its owner.

Chattanooga about 1 month ago

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Medical alert bracelet found in Chattanooga

I found a medical alert bracelet this morning around 9:15am near the Market Street entrance to the Walnut Street Bridge in downtown Chattanooga. It's a blue silicone strap with a small silver oval tag; the tag is engraved with the name 'J. Rivera' and a phone number that's a bit worn. There’s a tiny white star charm attached near the clasp, and the band shows light wear but is in good shape overall. If someone recognizes it, I’d be glad to hand it back—the owner clearly needs it and would probably be relieved.

Chattanooga 2 months ago

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Gray Nike hoodie with teal drawstrings

I found a gray Nike hoodie this afternoon around 2:15pm along the Riverwalk near the Walnut Street Bridge in downtown Chattanooga. It is a men's size large, heather gray with bright teal drawstrings, and there is a small tear near the left elbow. The chest has the Nike swoosh and the inside tag reads Dri-FIT. It is worn but still in decent shape, with a light mud stain near the pocket. Someone out there might be really attached to this hoodie; if this sounds like yours, drop me a note and we will figure out how to get it back.

Chattanooga 3 months ago

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Found concert ticket and parking pass near Tivoli Theatre

Category: Tickets & Passes. Location: Chattanooga. I found a pair of concert tickets and a parking pass this afternoon around 3:15pm behind the Tivoli Theatre on Broad Street in Downtown Chattanooga. The tickets are white with black text — one is for Section 102, Row G, Seat 42, the other a general admission stub — and both are creased with a small blue star sticker on the corner. The orange parking pass has the barcode and the number A12 printed across the front, and it’s a bit crumpled from being tucked in a pocket. They were in a worn brown wallet-style sleeve with a tiny initials sticker, something like 'KB' on the outside. If this belongs to you, I’d love to help get them back to you.

Chattanooga 3 months ago

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Gold-tone bracelet with heart charm found near riverfront

I found a gold-tone bracelet this afternoon around 4:15pm near the Chattanooga Riverfront behind the Tivoli Theatre on Broad Street. It's about 7 inches long, with a delicate heart charm and a tiny blue stone set near the clasp. The bracelet shows a few light scratches from wear, and the inner side is engraved with the initials 'M.S.' The lobster clasp looks sturdy, and I figured someone might be missing it, so I'm hoping to reunite it with its owner.

Chattanooga 4 months ago