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

Helpful resources for Cookeville

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Cookeville

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Found coins near Putnam County Courthouse

I was walking past the Putnam County Courthouse steps in Cookeville this morning around 9:15 a.m. when I spotted a small pile of coins on the sidewalk. They looked like change spilled from someone’s wallet, skipping down the steps. I picked them up and left them on a nearby bench, hoping the rightful owner will see this post and recognize them. I’ll keep them safe here until they’re claimed.

Outside the Putnam County Courthouse steps, Cookeville 14 days ago

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Blue snowflake scarf found near Walmart

I found a blue fleece scarf with white snowflake patterns this afternoon around 2:45pm behind the Walmart on Willow Avenue in Cookeville. It's about 60 inches long, soft but a bit pilled from the cold, and there’s a small frayed tassel at one end. The scarf is in good condition overall, no holes, and it smells lightly of wool and rain. I figured someone might be missing it since I spotted it lying on the ground by the curb near the loading dock; if this sounds like yours, reply here and we can arrange pickup at the Walmart entrance.

Cookeville 4 months ago

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Espresso coffee table with glass inlay

I found a dark espresso coffee table this afternoon around 2:15pm behind the Kroger on South Willow Avenue in Cookeville. It's a rectangular table, about 4 feet long, with a tempered glass inset and a lower shelf in good shape. There are a couple of small scratches along the front edge and a tiny circular dent on the left front leg, which help identify it. It looks like it might have sentimental value to someone because it's sturdy and has a nice finish. If this sounds like your piece, I’d be glad to get it back to you.

Cookeville 4 months ago

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Blue ID badge found near Cookeville Public Library

I found this blue plastic ID badge this afternoon around 3:15pm in the parking lot behind the Cookeville Public Library on West Broad Street. It's the standard photo-ID card, about the size of a credit card, with a glossy laminate and a small scratch on the lower-right corner. The name on the badge reads 'Jordan Lee' and underneath it says 'Public Services' with a badge number that ends in 210. A light blue lanyard is attached, a bit frayed from daily use. The badge clearly looks like a work or campus ID. If you know the owner or recognize this, please message me so I can get it back to them.

Cookeville 5 months ago

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Oak coffee table with brass nailhead trim

I found a solid oak coffee table this afternoon around 2:30 pm behind the Cookeville Depot Museum parking lot on Broad Street, near Library Street. It's about 4 feet long, with a warm honey finish and brass nailhead trim along the edges. There are a couple of small scratches and a tiny dent on the front left leg, plus a tiny carved leaf motif on the underside of the tabletop. It looks like it could be from a living room, sturdy and in decent condition despite the wear. If this sounds like yours, I’d be glad to help you get it back.

Cookeville 5 months ago

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Black 25-key MIDI keyboard with red sleeve found

I found a black Akai MPK Mini Mk2 25-key MIDI keyboard behind the Courthouse Square on Jefferson Avenue in Cookeville this afternoon around 2:15 pm. It’s in decent shape, with a red silicone sleeve around the body and a few light scratches on the top panel. There’s a small sticker on the back that reads 'Studio 7' and a dent on the bottom edge from a drop. I figured someone might be missing it after rehearsals; I’d love to help get it back to its owner. If this sounds like yours, feel free to message me here and we’ll figure out the best way to reunite it.

Cookeville 6 months ago