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

Helpful resources for Dayton / Springfield

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Dayton / Springfield

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Found radios near Dayton Riverfront.

I was walking the Dayton Riverfront near Carillon Historical Park around 7:15 p.m. last Tuesday when I spotted a dusty pair of radios left on a bench. They looked clearly lived‑in: two handheld units with a dented corner, a frayed cord, and a sticker faded to nothing. I checked for a name tag, but there was nothing to tie them to anyone. It felt hopeful to think they belong to a hobbyist who might be missing them, so I’m posting here in case the owner sees this and can reclaim them.

near Carillon Historical Park, Dayton 21 days ago

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Found DeWalt 20V cordless drill

I was out running errands this morning around 7:15 am and spotted a DeWalt 20V cordless drill sitting on the ground in the parking lot behind the Home Depot on North Dixie Drive, Dayton. The drill is yellow and black, with a slightly scuffed plastic case and a two-battery setup—one battery says 20V MAX, the other looks like a spare. There’s a small red sticker with the initials 'A.R.' on the battery, which helped me spot it from across the parking lot. It appears to be in good working condition, just dusty from the rain yesterday. If the owner recognizes it, I’ll be happy to meet somewhere convenient to return it.

Dayton / Springfield about 1 month ago

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Silver bracelet with purple enamel heart and initials

I found a silver bracelet this afternoon around 3:40pm near the Dayton Arcade on 5th Street in Dayton. It's a slim sterling silver chain about 7 inches long, with a small purple enamel heart charm and the clasp engraved with 'M.E.' It’s in decent shape, just a few light scratches from being worn outside. I figured someone must be missing it and would want it back, so I’m posting here in case the owner sees it and can describe the charm or the initials. If you think it’s yours, email me at [email protected] and we can arrange a local pickup in Dayton.

Dayton / Springfield about 1 month ago

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Rustic oak coffee table with brass inlay

I found a rustic oak coffee table with brass inlay this afternoon around 2:15pm in Dayton, in the Oregon District behind Blind Bob's on Main Street. It's a solid piece, honey-stained with a 40-inch long, 18-inch wide top and a sturdy 16-inch height. There are a couple of small dents on the left front leg and a subtle brass inlay along the edge that catches the light. The surface shows a few wear marks but overall it's in good shape. If this is yours, I'm hoping to help you get it back—look for the dented left front leg and brass border to confirm.

Dayton / Springfield about 1 month ago

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Yellow-green parakeet with blue tail found near RiverScape

Found a small parakeet this morning around 7:15am near RiverScape MetroPark along Main Street in Dayton. It's a yellow-green parakeet with a bright blue-tipped tail and a tiny silver leg band that reads 4J92. The bird is pretty tame and hops onto my finger when I offer a treat, chirping softly. I checked the area and didn’t see anyone calling for a bird, so I’m posting here in case someone’s missing a pet. It seems healthy and alert; I’d love to reunite it with its owner or get it to a safe shelter if no one comes forward.

Dayton / Springfield about 2 months ago

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Found black Anker PowerCore 10000mAh power bank

I found a black Anker PowerCore 10000 portable charger with a gray braided USB-C cable still attached. It's palm-sized, about the size of my palm, with a small dent on the corner and a blue rocket sticker on the back. I found it this afternoon around 3:15pm in the parking lot behind the Dayton Arcade on East 2nd Street, near the bike racks. It still shows about 46% charge on the display. It's clearly someone's everyday carry; I'm happy to help return it to the owner.

Dayton / Springfield 3 months ago