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

Helpful resources for Decatur

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Decatur

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Found holiday decorations near Decatur Square

Hey, I’m Noah Reed. I found a tote of holiday decorations near the Decatur Square on East Main Street around 6:30 p.m. yesterday. Inside are several strings of lights, a garland, two wreaths, and a handmade tree skirt. They clearly belonged to someone who loves decorating for the season, so I’m hoping they’re not far from the owner. If you recognize these items, please let the site know and we’ll get them back to you.

near the Decatur Square on East Main Street 11 days ago

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Silver bracelet with jade bead found near Decatur Square

I found a slim silver bracelet this afternoon around 3:15pm outside the Decatur Square, near the coffee shop on East Court Square. It’s about 6.5 inches long, probably stainless steel, and it features a tiny heart charm plus a single green jade bead that really stands out. The clasp has a few light scratches, and there’s a small engraving on the inside that looks like initials 'A.K.' It seems meaningful to someone, so I’m posting here in case the owner is looking for it—if you recognize it, tell me the initials and where you last had it, and we can arrange a meetup near the old courthouse.

Decatur about 1 month ago

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Blue North Face backpack with panda keychain

Found a blue The North Face backpack this afternoon around 3:15pm behind the Decatur Square fountain near the Decatur Library on West Trinity Place. It's a standard-size pack with gray trim, a bit worn at the bottom but still sturdy. There’s a small panda keychain on the zipper and a faded hiking-map sticker on the inside pocket. Inside I spotted a 14-inch laptop sleeve, a reusable water bottle, and a notebook with doodles. If this is your bag, shoot me a message and we can arrange a safe pickup in Decatur Square; I’ll hold onto it for a couple days in case the owner shows up.

Decatur about 2 months ago

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Blue hardcover mystery found near Decatur Library

I found a blue hardcover mystery this afternoon around 3:45 pm near the Decatur Library on Sycamore Street. It's a 2007 edition with a slightly bent corner and a gold embossed fox on the spine. Inside, there's a faded bookstore stamp on the first page and a bright yellow bookmark with a maple leaf tucked between pages. The cover has a few coffee rings and a small red sticker on the back that says 'READ.' There’s also a penciled note on the title page that reads 'Sam'—not sure who it belongs to, but I’d love to help reunite it with its owner.

Decatur 2 months ago

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Gold-tone bracelet with heart charm found in Decatur

I found a bracelet this afternoon around 3:15pm on Decatur Square, right outside the fountain area. It’s a slim gold-tone bracelet about 6.5 inches long, with a tiny heart charm that’s engraved with the initial 'A'. The metal shows a bit of wear, and the heart has a delicate flower etched on the back. I figured someone might be worried about losing it during the weekend market, so I held onto it for a bit in case the owner came looking. If you think it’s yours, drop me a quick note and we’ll arrange a safe way to swap it back. These little reminders can mean a lot, and I’d love to help someone get it back.

Decatur 4 months ago

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Silver flute with pearl keys found near Decatur Square

I found a silver Yamaha student flute this afternoon around 2:15pm outside the Decatur Library on West Trinity Place. The instrument is in good shape, with pearl keys and a tiny dent on the bottom joint. The case has initials 'A.M.' written on the latch and a blue ribbon tied around the handle, which should help identify the owner. It clearly looks like it belongs to someone who plays in the school band or takes lessons, and it feels sentimental rather than just valuable. If this sounds like yours or you know who it might belong to, please get in touch—I'd love to get it back to its owner.

Decatur 5 months ago