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

Helpful resources for Houma

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Houma

found A

Found gym clothes near Terrebonne High School gym, Houma

After practice this afternoon around 5:20 p.m., I walked out of Terrebonne High School gym and found a blue drawstring bag and a red hoodie left behind by the entrance. Inside were a pair of black shorts and a white towel with a name tag that read 'Jordan.' The clothes looked recently worn and still smelled faintly of detergent. I picked them up and turned them in at the front desk at the school, hoping the owner would see this. If you recognize these items, please message me through the site.

outside Terrebonne High School gym, near the main entrance, Houma. 1 day ago

found G

Found: Student ID outside Houma Public Library

I found a student ID this morning around 10:40 outside the Houma Public Library. It was lying on the sidewalk, and I could tell it had slipped from a wallet not long ago. I know how stressful it is to lose something so personal, especially with classes starting soon. If this ID belongs to someone here in Houma, I hope this helps you get it back quickly.

near Houma Public Library on Main Street 25 days ago

found B

Found wrist watches near Houma's Main Street

Yesterday around 3:46 pm, I was walking along Main Street by the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center when I spotted a bench with a small box containing wrist watches. There was a silver faced analog watch with a brown leather strap and a sporty black digital one. I picked them up and left them on the counter of a nearby cafe, hoping the owner would see them there when they return to collect.

Main Street outside the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center about 1 month ago

found K

Found pendants near Houma courthouse square

I found a small set of pendants on a bench at the Houma Courthouse Square around 5:40 pm yesterday. They’re two silver pendants, one with a tiny heart and a simple engraving, tucked in a worn velvet pouch. They look meaningful to someone—like they might be a gift or keepsakes. I’m hoping to help reunite them with their owner through the site. If these sound familiar, I’m glad to help get them back to you.

Reward

near the Houma courthouse square about 1 month ago

found C

Found: Work cases in Houma

I was leaving the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center around 4:15 p.m. last Tuesday when I spotted a battered set of work cases tucked behind a planter near the main entrance. They’re black with silver latches and show wear from travel. Inside I found a tangle of cables, a rolled blueprint, and a label for Bayou Tech Ltd. I brought them home to keep dry and safe on the back seat until I can figure out who they belong to. If these are yours, please claim them through the site and I’ll coordinate a handoff there.

Sentimental

near the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center about 2 months ago

found J

found hand tools in Houma, Louisiana

I found a set of hand tools on Main Street in downtown Houma around 11:30 AM this Saturday behind the old hardware store. The tools were in a blue canvas bag with a hammer, a few screwdrivers, and wrenches sticking out. They didn’t look mine, so I brought them here instead of leaving them behind. If the owner recognizes the bag or tools or can describe the item in detail, reach through the site and we’ll arrange the right thing. I’m glad to help and hope these tools find their way home.

Sentimental

Main Street, downtown Houma, near the old hardware store 2 months ago