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

Helpful resources for Hartford

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Hartford

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Found airline item near Bushnell Park, Hartford.

I found an Airline this afternoon, around 4:30 PM, on Pratt Street outside the Hartford Public Library near Bushnell Park. The item is a small folder labeled Airline on the cover, stuffed with a handful of old tickets and a passport photo. It looked like someone dropped it in a hurry; I scanned the area but the person who dropped it had disappeared into the crowd. I felt a mix of relief and responsibility—glad I could help, worried about someone losing something important. I’ve handed it over to the site so the rightful owner can claim it through the system.

near Bushnell Park, Hartford 12 days ago

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FOUND: Devices

I was walking near Bushnell Park yesterday around 4:20 PM when I found a backpack left on a bench along Farmington Avenue, just outside Hartford Public Library. Inside were several devices—a laptop, a tablet, a charger, and a small set of wireless earbuds. It looked like someone had set it down in a rush. I picked it up and kept it secure, posting this in the hopes the owner will recognize their belongings and claim them through the site. It feels good to know that a bit of kindness can help someone get back what they rely on every day.

near Bushnell Park 20 days ago

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Found stainless steel mixing bowl set

I found a stainless steel mixing bowl set this afternoon around 3:15pm in the parking lot behind the Hartford Public Library on Main Street. It’s a three-piece nested set with brushed steel and red silicone rims, about 4, 3, and 1.5 quarts in size. The bowls are in decent shape with a few light scratches and a faint coffee ring on the interior of the largest one. There’s a small engraving on the bottom that looks like 'A.K.'—if that helps identify the owner, I’d be happy to return them.

Hartford 2 months ago

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Blue Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speaker with silicone case

I found a compact black Anker Soundcore portable Bluetooth speaker with a bright blue silicone case this afternoon around 3:15 pm outside the Hartford Stage on Church Street. It's about the size of a soda can and in good condition, except for a small dent on the top edge. There's a white USB-C cable tucked underneath and a tiny sticker on the bottom that says Sam. The blue case makes it easy to spot, and I figured someone might be missing it after a quick street performance near the stage. If you're the owner, we can arrange a meetup at the Hartford Stage box office or near Bushnell Park to return it.

Hartford 3 months ago

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Found neon blue dog harness with paw tag

I found this afternoon around 2:15pm a neon blue dog harness behind the Hartford Stage on Main Street, near Bushnell Park. It's a size S nylon harness from the 'Pawfect Fit' brand with a reflective lime-green stripe along the edges and a small paw-print charm hanging from the adjuster. The buckle has a tiny scratch, and the harness shows some wear but is still sturdy. If it's yours, drop a note and we can figure out pickup around Hartford near Bushnell Park.

Hartford 3 months ago

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Silver Yamaha flute in black case with initials A.J.

I found a silver Yamaha flute in a black hard case this afternoon around 4:30pm near the Hartford Public Library on Main Street, by the bus stop. It looks gently used and seems to play fine when I flicked a quick test note. There are initials 'A.J.' engraved on the lip plate, and a small dent on the footjoint with a few light scratches along the case. The lining is red felt, and there's a tiny sticker inside the lid with a practice mark. If you’re the owner, I’d really like to get it back to you.

Hartford 5 months ago