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

Helpful resources for Grand Rapids

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Grand Rapids

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Found guitars near Rosa Parks Circle, Grand Rapids

I was cleaning up after a small street performance around 4:15 p.m. on Friday when I found a pair of guitars resting against a bench near Rosa Parks Circle, downtown Grand Rapids. They are both in decent condition, with one sunburst finish and the other a plain black model, and they did not have any obvious labels, so I left them on the bench by Calder Plaza while I looked around. They felt cared for and seemed recently tuned, and it tugged at me to help the owner get them back. If this belongs to you, I hope you see this and know they are safe; I did not want to move them far from the spot where I found them.

Rosa Parks Circle, downtown Grand Rapids. 1 day ago

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FOUND Quilts in Grand Rapids near Public Museum

I was out for a morning walk along Monroe Center Street by the Grand Rapids Public Museum at about 9:15 am when a bundle of quilts caught my eye, folded neatly on a bench. They’re handmade, patchwork in blues and greens with a couple of warmer reds, and you can smell a hint of cedar from the fabric. I picked them up and brought them to the lost-and-found area, hoping the owner will recognize the stitching and the familiar weight of the bundle. If these quilts are yours, I hope this listing helps you reconnect with them soon.

near the Grand Rapids Public Museum 7 days ago

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Found: Work Cases in Grand Rapids

Hey, I’m Alex Parker. I found a set of Work Cases left on a bench outside Rosa Parks Circle, downtown Grand Rapids, at about 2:45 p.m. on Friday. They’re black leather, a bit scuffed, with a dented latch and a loose strap. I felt a jolt of relief thinking someone might be worried about them, so I picked them up and brought them to the information desk nearby, hoping to reunite them with the owner.

near Rosa Parks Circle, downtown Grand Rapids about 1 month ago

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Found compact MIDI keyboard near Rosa Parks Circle

I found a compact MIDI keyboard this afternoon around 2:15pm on the sidewalk outside the Rosa Parks Circle statue in downtown Grand Rapids, right at the corner of Monroe Ave NW and Pearl St NW. It's a black Akai MPK Mini MKII with 25 keys and 8 red pads, USB cable still attached, and a small blue sticker on the back that reads 'Mason's Studio'. There are a few light scratches along the top edge and a tiny coffee stain near the USB port, but otherwise it's in decent shape. It obviously belongs to someone into making music, and I’d really like to return it to its owner. If this looks familiar, please reach out.

Grand Rapids 4 months ago

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Medical alert bracelet with engraving found near Calder Plaza, GR

I found a medical alert bracelet this afternoon around 2:15pm near Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids, by the fountain and the bike racks. It's a silver-tone bracelet with a small blue enamel heart charm and a tag engraved with the name 'A. Patel' plus 'Allergy: Penicillin.' The bracelet shows normal wear but is in good condition. I know this could be really important for someone who needs it, so I’d love to help get it back to its owner—if you recognize it, send me a message and we can arrange a safe handoff.

Grand Rapids 4 months ago

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Cream Le Creuset 5-qt casserole found

I found a cream Le Creuset 5-quart casserole dish this afternoon around 2:45pm behind a coffee shop on Fulton Street, near the Grand Rapids Public Museum. It's in pretty good shape overall, with a couple of small scratches on the enamel and a tiny chip on the lid rim. The exterior looks glossy cream, the lid bears the Le Creuset logo, and there's a blue silicone sleeve on the handle that I can remove. It feels sentimental to imagine someone missing a dish that might have been a family heirloom or a go-to for Sunday dinners. If this is yours, shoot me a message at [email protected] so we can arrange pickup nearby.

Grand Rapids 5 months ago