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

Helpful resources for Eugene

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Eugene

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Found postcards on Willamette Street near Saturday Market.

I found someone else's postcards this morning along Willamette Street, near the Saturday Market in downtown Eugene. They were tucked into a weathered envelope, with a mix of vintage views and handwritten notes that looked like travel memories. I found them at 11:20 a.m. today, when the market was just opening and the air smelled of coffee and pine. I know how personal postcards can be, and I hoped to reunite them as soon as possible.

Willamette Street, by the Saturday Market 10 days ago

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Found sheet music near the Eugene Public Library

I was walking back from the Sunday farmers market and found this sheet music lying on a bench near the main entrance of the Eugene Public Library at 2:13 p.m. yesterday. The cover is a faded blue with the title 'Spring Serenade' handwritten in pencil, and inside there's a penciled note that says 'For Lily.' A few torn corners flutter when the breeze picks up. It felt personal, like someone had practiced for a recital and left it behind by mistake. I’m keeping it safe here, hoping the owner spots this listing and recognizes the music by its binding and the coffee cup ring on the corner.

Eugene Public Library entrance 16 days ago

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Silver Yamaha flute in black case found near library

I found a silver Yamaha flute this afternoon around 2:15pm behind the Eugene Public Library on 10th Ave near the bike racks. It's tucked in a black hard case with a couple small dents on the lid. The flute itself looks well cared for, with pearl-like keys and a faint engraving of the initials A.B. near the lip plate. The case has a red inner lining that's a bit faded. It seems to be in good playing condition, just needs a good home again. If you recognize it, drop me a line and we can arrange a safe handoff to reunite it with its owner.

Eugene about 2 months ago

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Smartphone found near Starbucks on Willamette

Found a smartphone this afternoon around 3:15pm in front of the Starbucks on Willamette Street, downtown Eugene, right near Kesey Square. It's a mid-sized Android with a sapphire blue silicone case; there's a coffee ring stain on the back and the screen protector is cracked. The home screen wallpaper is a mountain sunset, and there's a small rocket sticker on the back corner that makes it easy to spot. I didn’t see anyone nearby looking anxious, so I figured I’d hold onto it for a bit in case the owner retraced their steps. If this is your phone, email me at [email protected] with a brief description of a couple features to verify ownership.

Eugene about 2 months ago

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Silver medical alert bracelet with engraving

Found a silver medical alert bracelet this afternoon around 3:30pm in the parking lot behind the Starbucks on Willamette Street near 13th Ave in Eugene. It's a slender stainless-steel band with a small red enamel heart charm and a medical alert tag. Inside the band, there's engraving: 'Liam Chen' and 'Allergy: Penicillin.' The bracelet is in good condition, just a touch of wear along the edges. If this belongs to you or someone you know, please reach out—I know how important this is for emergencies and would love to get it back to its owner.

Eugene 3 months ago

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Black Samsonite carry-on with red tag

I found a black Samsonite carry-on rolling suitcase this afternoon around 2:15pm outside the Starbucks on West 11th Avenue, near the UO campus. It's a 22-inch spinner with a red luggage tag and a small dent on the bottom-right corner. Inside, the cobalt blue lining stands out and there's a blue scarf peeking out along with a white label that has 'L. Choi' handwritten on it. I know how easy it is to lose a bag in a rush to catch a flight or bus, so I’m hoping to help reunite it with its owner.

Eugene 4 months ago